Rain offers some relief, but major blazes like Red Lake 99 continue to burn
THUNDER BAY – Aviation, Forest Fire and Emergency Services reports that by 6:00 p.m. CDT on August 9, two new wildfires were confirmed in the Northwest Fire Region, bringing the total number of active fires to 61.
New Fires Confirmed Today
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Kenora 58 (KEN058) – Discovered on a small, remote island about 1.5 kilometres southwest of Tide Lake Provincial Park. This 0.1-hectare blaze is under control.
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Kenora 59 (KEN059) – Burning approximately 1.4 kilometres west of Highway 71 near Newman Lake and Andy Lake. The fire covers 1 hectare, is not under control, and has already received air attack support from waterbombers and helicopters.
Current Fire Status in the Northwest
As of this update:
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7 fires are not under control
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2 fires are being held
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7 fires are under control
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42 fires are being observed
The fire hazard across the Northwest Region ranges from low to extreme. Recent rains and cloudy conditions have eased the hazard to low or moderate in most areas, though pockets of high hazard remain where precipitation was minimal.
You can track fire conditions in real time using the province’s Interactive Fire Map.
Fire of Note – Red Lake 99
Location: Northeast of Poplar Hill
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Size: 30,602 hectares
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Status: Not under control
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Current Conditions: Significant rainfall across the fire zone today has slowed fire activity.
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Ongoing Efforts: Crews are prioritizing suppression targets, supported by bucketing helicopters to cool hot spots and contain spread.
This fire remains a serious concern for remote communities in the Red Lake District and is being closely monitored.
Safety Reminder – No Drone Zone
The province is reminding the public that flying drones near wildfires is both dangerous and illegal. Unauthorized drones can interfere with low-flying aircraft and endanger pilots, firefighters, and other emergency personnel.
The rule is simple: If you fly, they can’t. Stay clear.
How to Report a Wildfire
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North of the French and Mattawa Rivers: Call 310-FIRE (no area code)
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South of the French and Mattawa Rivers: Call 9-1-1
Stay informed on prevention tips and fire activity by following @ONforestfires (English) or @ONfeudeforet (French) on Facebook, Instagram, and X (Twitter). Full updates are also available at Ontario.ca/fireupdates.
