Fire Hazard Ranges from Low to Extreme; Residents Urged to Stay Alert and Report Fires Promptly

THUNDER BAY – As of August 6, 2025, wildfire activity remains intense across the Northwest Region, with 65 active forest fires burning and conditions ranging from low to extreme.

Smoke from wildfires is impacting the region as well.

The ongoing dry weather, particularly in the western and Far North areas, continues to fuel new outbreaks and escalate existing blazes.

🆕 New Fires Confirmed on August 6

Five new fires were confirmed across the region:

• Red Lake 138 – Located 2.5 km southeast of Coathup Lake. The 3-hectare fire is being held.

• Sioux Lookout 82 – About 23.1 km east of Muskrat Dam Lake First Nation. The 111-hectare fire is being observed.

• Sioux Lookout 83 – 7.3 km south of Bearskin Lake First Nation. This 0.4-hectare fire is not under control.

• Nipigon 21 – Approximately 15 km east of Prime Lake. The 15-hectare fire is being observed.

• Kenora 56 – Located on an island in the Winnipeg River. The 0.1-hectare fire is being held.

Active Fire Statistics (as of 18:08 CDT, August 6)

• Total Active Fires: 65

  • Not Under Control: 10

  • Being Held: 2

  • Under Control: 7

  • Being Observed: 46

The wildland fire hazard is low to moderate in the eastern parts of the region, including Thunder Bay, but escalates to high to extreme in the west and Far North. Residents across the region are encouraged to monitor local conditions using the Interactive Fire Map.

🔥 Fire of Note: Red Lake 99 Merges with Red Lake 72 – 30,602 Hectares

One of the most concerning developments is the rapid expansion of Red Lake 99, now merged with Red Lake 72. The fire has grown significantly in recent days and now spans a mapped area of 30,602.6 hectares.

• Crews are stationed on the north side of McInnis Lake.

• Helicopters have been assisting suppression efforts with water bucketing operations along the southern perimeter.

• Cloud cover helped reduce fire intensity today, but active fire behaviour remains visible.

• Light precipitation is expected overnight and into Thursday, which may aid suppression.

This fire is located east of Poplar Hill, and continues to pose a serious threat due to its size and behaviour.

Reminder: No Drone Zones Over Forest Fires

The province is reminding residents that flying drones near wildfires is illegal and endangers emergency operations. Drones can delay aerial firefighting and put lives at risk. If you see firefighting aircraft or smoke columns – do not fly a drone.

📞 How to Report Wildland Fires

• North of the French and Mattawa Rivers: Call 310-FIRE (3473)

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

Stay updated and fire-safe by following Ontario’s forest fire service on social media:
@ONforestfires / @ONfeudeforet on X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, and Instagram.

Local Context for Thunder Bay and Area

While no immediate threat has been reported near Thunder Bay, shifting fire hazard zones and new ignitions highlight the critical importance of public awareness, especially with travel and recreation increasing in late summer.

With air quality potentially affected by distant smoke plumes, particularly from the west, residents are advised to monitor Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) updates and limit exposure during smoke events.