No Active Wildland Fires Reported in Northwest Region as Ontario Fire Season Continues
THUNDER BAY — Aviation, Forest Fire and Emergency Services reports there are currently no active wildland fires in the Northwest Region as of 5:10 p.m. CDT on May 7, 2026.
The update is important for Thunder Bay and communities across Northwestern Ontario as the region moves deeper into Ontario’s legislated fire season, when changing weather, dry grass, spring cleanup burning and remote access conditions can quickly raise local fire risk.
Northwest Region Fire Situation
There are currently no active wildland fires in the Northwest Region.
Aviation, Forest Fire and Emergency Services says fire situation updates will now be published twice weekly. The next scheduled update is expected Monday, May 11.
Outdoor Fire Rules Remain in Effect
Ontario’s legislated fire season runs from April 1 to Oct. 31. During this period, outdoor burning is regulated under Ontario’s Wildland Fire Management regulation.
Aviation, Forest Fire and Emergency Services encourages residents to avoid burning yard waste and woody debris where possible. Alternatives include composting or using a local landfill.
Anyone who does burn must follow provincial rules. Fires may be lit no sooner than two hours before sunset and must be fully extinguished no later than two hours after sunrise. People burning outdoors must also have adequate tools and water on site to contain the fire.
Residents living within municipal boundaries should also check with their local fire department before burning, as local permits or restrictions may apply.
Why This Matters in Northwestern Ontario
Northwestern Ontario’s forested landscape, remote roads, rail corridors, hydro lines and many fly-in or road-access communities make early fire prevention critical.
Even when no active fires are burning, spring conditions can shift quickly. Dry grass, wind and low humidity can increase fire behaviour before trees and vegetation fully green up. For communities across the region, preventing human-caused fires helps protect homes, camps, First Nations, transportation routes, forestry operations and emergency response capacity.
Thunder Bay also serves as a regional service and transportation hub during wildfire season, supporting aircraft, crews, equipment movement and emergency planning across the Northwest.
How to Report a Wildland Fire
To report a wildland fire north of the French and Mattawa rivers, call 310-FIRE at 310-3473.
To report a wildland fire south of the French or Mattawa rivers, call 911.
More information on the current wildland fire situation is available through Ontario’s fire updates, as well as Aviation, Forest Fire and Emergency Services social media channels on Facebook, Instagram and X at @ONforestfires and @ONfeudeforet.
