THUNDER BAY – WILDFIRE REPORT – August 1, 2025 – Fire crews across Northwestern Ontario are facing another surge in fire activity as eight new wildfires were confirmed by early evening on August 1, bringing the total number of active fires in the Northwest Fire Region to 50. Of those, 15 fires remain not under control, with hot, dry, and windy conditions pushing fire hazard levels into high and extreme territory across many fire management zones.
New Wildfires Confirmed – August 1
The following fires were reported today across the Northwest Region:
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Red Lake 132
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Location: Near Rowan Lake, ~23 km west/northwest of Red Lake
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Size: 0.1 hectares
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Status: Not under control
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Fort Frances 20
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Location: ~8.5 km east/southwest of Caliper Lake Provincial Park
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Size: 4 hectares
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Status: Not under control
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Red Lake 131
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Location: Near the Keeper River, close to Red Lake 51 (7,800 ha), ~102 km NW of Red Lake
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Status: Not under control (size unconfirmed)
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Red Lake 130
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Location: ~17 km southwest of Deer Lake First Nation
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Size: 2 hectares
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Status: Not under control
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Dryden 019
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Location: ~3 km east of Ignace
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Size: 0.1 hectares
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Status: Not under control
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Red Lake 129
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Location: West of Pakwash Lake, ~30 km NW of Ear Falls
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Size: 0.3 hectares
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Status: Not under control
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Kenora 54
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Location: North of Hwy 596 near Meekin Lake, ~20 km west of Kenora
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Size: 0.1 hectares
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Status: Under control
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Red Lake 128
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Location: South side of Deer Lake, ~22 km west of Deer Lake First Nation
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Size: 0.5 hectares
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Status: Under control
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New Fires Reported Late on July 31
Two additional wildfires were confirmed during the evening hours of July 31:
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Red Lake 127
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Location: South of Meddick Lake, ~19 km south of Deer Lake First Nation
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Size: 1.1 hectares
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Status: Not under control
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Red Lake 126
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Location: Near Irwin Lake, close to Red Lake 51
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Size: 6 hectares
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Status: Not under control
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Current Wildfire Statistics – Northwest Region
As of 6:46 p.m. CDT, August 1, the following is the wildfire status in the Northwest Region:
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50 active fires
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🔥 15 not under control
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🔥 1 being held
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🔥 7 under control
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🔥 27 being observed
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2 fires were successfully called out in the past 24 hours
Fire Hazard Update
Continued hot and dry weather has pushed fire hazard levels to high and extreme in several parts of the region:
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High to Extreme Hazard: Kenora, Red Lake, Dryden, Fort Frances fire management areas (especially near the Manitoba border)
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Low to High Hazard: Thunder Bay, Sioux Lookout, and Nipigon fire management areas
To monitor local fire hazard levels, visit the province’s Interactive Fire Map.
Fires of Note – Suppression Efforts Continue
🔥 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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Resources on Site: 23 Type-1 FireRanger crews and 4 Type-2 crews from Pikangikum
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Current Focus: Patrolling for hot spots along Nungesser Road and attacking smokes near Boughton Lake
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Helicopters are sling-loading suppression gear for servicing
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Some flames were visible today due to hot, dry, and windy conditions, though overall fire activity remained low
🔥 Red Lake 40 – North Spirit Lake First Nation
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Remapped Size: 10,975 hectares (updated due to ignition operations)
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Status: Not under control
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Weather Update: ~4 mm of rain fell on the northern flank overnight
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Current Focus: Crews extinguishing spot fires and working 100–200 feet inward from the perimeter
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A low-level infrared scan helped identify hotspots
🔥 Red Lake 67 – McDowell Lake First Nation
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Size: 22,357 hectares
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Status: Not under control
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Fire Activity: Remains low
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Current Operations: Crew stationed on the north end to patrol and extinguish hot spots near the community
🔥 Red Lake 72 / Red Lake 99 – East of Poplar Hill
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Red Lake 72: 6,173 hectares – Not under control
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Slight increase in smoke observed, but no new growth
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Red Lake 99: 6,694 hectares – Not under control
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Fire activity increased today under wind and heat
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Some growth noted on the eastern perimeter
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Important Reminder: No Drone Zone
The public is reminded that flying drones near wildfires is dangerous and illegal. Unauthorized drone activity can ground aircraft and put the lives of firefighters, pilots, and emergency responders at risk.
Be safe. Stay clear. Keep drones away from forest fires.
📞 Reporting Wildfires
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North of the French and Mattawa Rivers: Call 310-FIRE (3473)
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South of these rivers: Call 9-1-1
Stay updated on wildfire conditions by following @ONforestfires and @ONfeudeforet on Facebook, Instagram, and X, or visit Ontario.ca/fireupdates.
