THUNDER BAY – WILDFIRE UPDATE – We may have received rainfall this week, but we also had thunder and lightning. The wildfire situation remains serious.
As of 7:05 p.m. CDT on July 25, the Aviation, Forest Fire and Emergency Services division reports four new wildfires in the Northwest Region and 47 active fires across the district.
Of these, 10 fires are not under control, 3 are being held, 5 are under control, and 29 are being observed.
🔥 New Fires in the Northwest Region
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Red Lake 121 (RED121) – 0.4 hectares, located 1 km east of Windfall Creek and 8.5 km east of Silcox Lake. Status: Being held
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Kenora 50 (KEN050) – 2 hectares, 4 km south of Lount Lake and 3 km northeast of Joe Lake. Status: Not under control
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Nipigon 18 (NIP018) – 0.1 hectares, 5 km south of Hwy 11 and 8 km southeast of Longlac. Status: Not under control
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Sioux Lookout 62 (SLK062) – 0.4 hectares, on an island on Barrington Lake. Status: Being observed
🚨 Current Fire Hazard
The wildland fire hazard remains moderate to extreme across most of the Northwest Region. Lower hazard zones are reported around Marathon and west of Thunder Bay to Quetico Park.
To track fire hazard levels in your area, visit the Interactive Fire Map.
🔥 Fires of Note
🔺 Red Lake 62 – Pikangikum First Nation
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Size: 33,739 hectares
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Status: Not under control
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Overview: Fire activity intensified today with help from warmer temperatures and steady winds.
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Response:
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27 Type-1 FireRanger crews
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4 Type-2 firefighting crews
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19 helicopters supporting this fire and the Bak Lake Cluster
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Hoselines are being set along Nungesser Road and Taxi Bay Road
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Crews conducted helicopter bucketing operations and hot spot patrols throughout the day
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🔺 Red Lake 40 – North Spirit Lake First Nation
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Size: 8,789 hectares
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Status: Not under control
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Overview: Waterbombers targeted the northern flank as fire behaviour escalated.
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Smoke: Visible from North Spirit Lake and McDowell First Nations
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Update: Value protection gear has been demobilized in North Spirit Lake
🔺 Red Lake 67 – McDowell Lake First Nation
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Size: 22,347 hectares
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Status: Not under control
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Overview: Fire activity increased today with warmer, windier weather.
🔺 Red Lake 72 & 99 – East of Poplar Hill
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Red Lake 72: 4,941 hectares – Not under control
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Red Lake 99: 5,464 hectares – Not under control
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Update: Northern flank of Red Lake 99 saw increased activity today
🚫 REMINDER: No Drone Zones
Flying drones near forest fires is dangerous and illegal. It endangers the lives of firefighting personnel and pilots. Stay clear of active wildfire zones.
📞 Report a Wildfire
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North of the French and Mattawa Rivers: Dial 310-FIRE (3473)
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South of the French or Mattawa Rivers: Call 9-1-1
For tips, updates, and prevention resources, follow @ONforestfires and @ONfeudeforet on Facebook, Instagram, and X.
Visit Ontario.ca/fireupdates for the latest wildfire information.
