Wildfire Updates – Northwest District Aviation, Forest Fire and Emergency Services – Northwest Fire Region July 17, 2025 | 18:00 CDT

Wildfire Risk Continues Across Northwest

Thunder Bay – Wildfire Update – The wildfires continue across the district with a late Saturday night report confirming four new fires. The region overall is dry, and the risk of more wildfires continues.

New Fires Confirmed (July 17)

Four new wildland fires were confirmed by evening:

• Red Lake 112 (RED112): 0.2 ha, ~4 km west of Sharp Lake – held

• Kenora 45 (KEN045): 0.1 ha, 1 km NW of Campfire River – not under control

• Kenora 46 (KEN046): 0.5 ha, 2 km east of Roger Lake – not under control

• Kenora 47 (KEN047): 0.1 ha, 2 km SE of Roger Lake – not under control

Active Fires Snapshot

• Total active: 51

  • Not under control: 14

  • Being held: 3

  • Under control: 6

  • Being observed: 28

Fire Hazard Conditions

• Low hazard: Southern Fort Frances, Thunder Bay and Nipigon sectors

• Moderate–high hazard: Remainder of region

• Extreme hazard: Pocket north of Red Lake

Fires of Note

Red Lake 40 – North Spirit Lake First Nation

• Size: 8,789 ha | Status: Not under control

• Recent activity: Minimal fire behaviour after 20 mm rain; high-level infrared scan completed to pinpoint hotspots

• Response:

  • 3 ground crews on northern flank with hose-lines

  • Helicopter bucket support dropping water on targets

  • Sprinkler systems installed on critical community infrastructure

Red Lake 62 – Pikangikum First Nation

• Size: 31,367 ha | Status: Not under control

• Conditions: Fire activity rising under sunny, low-humidity weather following 5 mm rain

• Response:

  • 13 FireRanger crews (north & south divisions) with up to 15 helicopters

  • Heavy equipment constructing fire guard on northern perimeter

  • Hose-line work advancing on southeastern Pedlar and Peall Lake edges

Red Lake 67 – McDowell Lake First Nation

• Size (remapped): 26,182 ha | Status: Not under control

• Actions:

  • Infrared scanning to locate concentrated heat zones

  • Sprinkler protection systems operational on McDowell Lake First Nation infrastructure

  • Hose-line deployment to secure eastern peninsula perimeter when conditions allow

Red Lake 72 – East of Poplar Hill

• Size: 4,941 ha | Status: Not under control

• Ongoing work: Two crews mopping up spot fires east of McInnes Lake

Restrictions in Effect – Red Lake 62 (EAO 2025-011)

Effective: 12:01 am CDT, July 12 until further notice.
Purpose: Public safety & effective fire suppression.
Area Closure: Hatched zone on the MNRF Implementation Order map (see link below).
Prohibited Unless Permitted:

• Roads & Trails:

  • Nungesser Road (Coli Road junction → Berens Lake)

  • Coli Road (including cottage subdivision & campground)

  • Sidace Road, North Road, Caribou Road, Taxi Bay Road, Pikangikum Road

  • All branch roads, winter roads, operational trails in the hatched area

• Waterways & Lands:

  • Nungesser Lake/River, Coli Lake/Creek, Sidace Lake, Stormer Lake, Wahshaykahmeesheeng/Kirkness Lake, Peekwatahmaewee Sahkaheekahn (Berens Lake), Zimring Lake, Philp Lake, Pedlar Lake, Pringle Lake & Dedicated Protected Area, Boughton Lake, Kavanagh Lake, Odin Lake, Valhalla Lake, Maria Bay, Murfitt Lake, Remote Lakes, Dowling Lake/River, Hornblendite Lake, Harding Lake, Woodey Lake, Uren Lake, Lillycrop Lake, Baisley Lake, Minnett Lake, Treversh Lake, Sims Lake, Deebank Lake, Openshaw Lake, Lavis Lake, Teeple Lake, Rieger Lake, Sambells Lake, Peall Lake, Naylor Lake, Wyman Lake, Reigate Lake, Storey Lake, Toutin Lake, parts of Little Vermilion Lake, and Pikangikum Lake

  • All private and Crown lands within the hatched zone

• Evacuation Notice: Residents urged to leave immediately unless holding a valid MNRF travel permit.

• Map: Review the full Implementation Order map via the MNRF website (search “EAO 2025-011”).

No-Drone Zone

Reminder: Operating drones near wildfires endangers firefighting aircraft and personnel. Keep all UAVs well clear of fire zones.

How to Report a Wildland Fire

• North of French & Mattawa Rivers: Dial 310-FIRE (310-3473)

• South of French or Mattawa Rivers: Call 9-1-1

Stay Connected

• Current Fire Updates: www.ontario.ca/fireupdates

• Social Media (EN/FR): @ONforestfires | @ONfeudeforet on Facebook, Instagram & X

Stay safe, follow restrictions, and help protect your community by reporting fires promptly.