Nine Active Wildland Fires Reported in Northwest Region as Crews Make Progress Near Fort Frances and Ignace
THUNDER BAY – Wildfire Update – The Northwest Region had nine active wildland fires as of the evening update issued by Ontario’s Aviation, Forest Fire and Emergency Services on Saturday, May 16, with crews continuing suppression work near Ignace, Fort Frances, Mine Centre, Northwest Bay First Nation and Lac La Croix First Nation.
It is pretty shocking how quickly the fire hazard across the Northwestern Ontario region has changed from low to high after the very wet April and early May. It is testament to the reality that when the ground is frozen,
The update matters across Northwestern Ontario because several fires are burning near highways, resource roads, lakes, First Nation communities and long weekend travel routes.
The province reported three fires under control, two being held and four not under control at 9:15 p.m. CDT. One new fire was confirmed since the previous update, and it has since been declared out.
Current Northwest Region Wildfire Situation
Aviation, Forest Fire and Emergency Services reported that the Northwest Region had nine active wildland fires late Saturday. Four remained not under control, meaning crews were still working to stop fire growth and secure containment. Two were being held, while three were listed as under control.
The most significant activity in the latest update is concentrated in the Dryden, Fort Frances and Atikokan fire management area, with several fires of note west of Thunder Bay and near communities, lakes and travel corridors.
Residents and travellers should treat the information as time-sensitive. Wildland fire behaviour can change quickly with wind, humidity, dry grass, available forest fuels and access conditions.
People travelling for the long weekend should check the province’s official fire updates and local road information before heading into remote areas, camps, cabins or Crown land locations.
New Fire: Kenora 8 Declared Out
The one new fire confirmed in the Northwest Region was Kenora 8.
Kenora 8 was located approximately 10 kilometres east of the Manitoba border near Highway 17 and Moth Lake. The fire was small at 0.1 hectares and has been declared out.
That is welcome news for travellers using Highway 17, a key east-west route linking Northwestern Ontario with Manitoba. Even small roadside or near-road fires can raise public safety concerns because of smoke, traffic, access for fire crews and the risk of spread in dry grass or forested areas.
Dryden 11: Fire North of Ignace Remapped to 150.3 Hectares
Dryden 11 remains one of the larger fires listed in the update.
The fire is located north of Ignace on the east side of Sandbar Lake. Aviation, Forest Fire and Emergency Services reported that Dryden 11 has been remapped to 150.3 hectares. Remapping can reflect more accurate fire perimeter information as crews, aircraft and mapping tools gather better data.
FireRanger crews continue to make good progress with suppression efforts.
The Ontario Provincial Police have reopened Highway 599. Even with the reopening, the public is being urged to use caution in areas where crews are working. That caution is important because firefighting operations can include vehicles, pumps, hose lines, aircraft support, smoke, reduced visibility and temporary delays.
For Northwestern Ontario, Highway 599 is more than a local road. It supports travel, remote work, outfitting, camp access, emergency response and supply movement into areas north of Ignace. Any fire activity near that corridor can quickly affect residents, workers, visitors and resource-sector traffic.
Fort Frances 4: Fire South of Highway 11 Remains Not Under Control
Fort Frances 4 is located south of Highway 11 near Factor Lake.
The fire remains approximately 10 hectares in size and is listed as not under control. FireRanger crews have made good progress with suppression efforts, but the status means the fire has not yet reached a point where officials are ready to classify it as being held or under control.
This fire is particularly important for residents and travellers because of its location near Highway 11 and Factor Lake. Highway 11 is a major Northwestern Ontario transportation route, supporting commercial travel, community movement, tourism and emergency response across the region.
Implementation Order in Effect for Fort Frances 4
An implementation order is now in effect around Fort Frances 4 in the Dryden Fort Frances Atikokan District.
The order is intended to protect public safety and help crews carry out effective fire suppression. Under the order, all travel and use of Factor Lake Road is prohibited unless authorized by a permit issued by the Dryden Fort Frances Atikokan District of the Ministry of Natural Resources. Shoreline access to Factor Lake is also prohibited.
The order also prohibits use and occupation of identified Crown land shown on the province’s fire updates map. People are not allowed to travel on identified closed roads within the area unless they have a travel permit issued by the Ministry of Natural Resources.
These restrictions are not routine advisories. They are public safety measures. Entering a restricted fire area can put members of the public at risk and can interfere with suppression work by forcing crews to divert attention from the fire line to evacuations, traffic control or rescues.
Fort Frances 5: Fire Near Mine Centre Now Being Held
Fort Frances 5 is located near the southeast side of Little Turtle Lake near Mine Centre.
The fire has been remapped to 14.9 hectares and is now listed as being held. FireRanger crews have made good progress with suppression efforts.
A “being held” status is a positive development. It generally indicates that, under current conditions and with current resources, the fire is not expected to spread beyond existing boundaries. However, crews may still be working hot spots, strengthening control lines, checking for flare-ups and monitoring conditions.
Implementation Order in Effect for Fort Frances 5
An implementation order is also in effect around Fort Frances 5.
All travel and use of King Street in Mine Centre is prohibited unless authorized by a permit from the Dryden Fort Frances Atikokan District of the Ministry of Natural Resources. Shoreline access to Little Turtle Lake is also prohibited.
As with Fort Frances 4, the order prohibits use and occupation of identified Crown land and travel on closed roads within the mapped area unless authorized by a ministry travel permit.
For people in Mine Centre, cottage country, fishing areas and nearby camps, the message is clear: stay out of restricted areas, avoid shoreline access where prohibited and give fire crews the room they need to work.
Fort Frances 7: Fire Near Northwest Bay First Nation Remains Not Under Control
Fort Frances 7 is burning near Northwest Bay First Nation.
The fire remains approximately 20 hectares and is listed as not under control. FireRanger crews are making good progress while working alongside the local fire team.
The location makes this fire especially important from a community safety perspective. Fires near First Nations require close co-ordination between provincial fire crews, local leadership, local fire teams and emergency management partners. Access, smoke, road conditions and proximity to homes or community infrastructure can all shape response decisions.
The update does not report an evacuation order connected to Fort Frances 7. Residents should continue to follow direction from local leadership and official emergency channels.
Fort Frances 8: Fire West of Lac La Croix First Nation Not Under Control
Fort Frances 8 is located west of the community in Lac La Croix First Nation, on the west side of the Namakan River.
The fire is 8.6 hectares and remains not under control. Aviation, Forest Fire and Emergency Services said crews have made good progress with suppression efforts, helped by favourable weather conditions.
The Namakan River area is part of a landscape of deep regional importance, including First Nation homelands, water routes, forests, tourism, fishing and cross-border wilderness connections. Fire activity in this area can affect local travel, traditional land use, visitors, outfitters and emergency response planning.
Why This Matters Across Northwestern Ontario
For Thunder Bay readers, the fires of note in this update are mainly west of the city, but the regional implications are clear.
Northwestern Ontario’s highways, lakes, resource roads and remote communities are closely connected. A fire near Ignace can affect northbound access. A fire near Highway 11 can affect east-west travel and commercial movement.
A fire near a First Nation can quickly become a community safety and emergency management concern. A closure on a lake road or shoreline can affect camps, cabins, outfitters, anglers and weekend travellers.
The May long weekend also increases exposure. More people are on the roads, opening camps, travelling to lakes, burning brush, using campfires and accessing Crown land. That combination can raise fire risk, especially in areas with dry grass and high winds.
Long Weekend Reminder: Grass Fires Can Move Fast
Aviation, Forest Fire and Emergency Services is reminding the public that spring is grass fire season.
Dry, built-up grass can ignite easily and spread quickly, particularly when winds rise. Grass fires may look less threatening than forest fires, but they can move rapidly across open areas, ditches, fields, shorelines, roadsides and camp properties. They can also spread into brush, treelines and forest fuels.
Residents should avoid unnecessary burning and use safer options for yard waste and woody debris, including composting or taking material to a local landfill where available.
Outdoor Fire Rules Remain in Effect
Ontario’s legislated fire season runs from April 1 to Oct. 31.
Outdoor fire rules are in effect throughout the season. If a person must burn yard waste or woody debris, fires are to be ignited no sooner than two hours before sunset and extinguished no later than two hours after sunrise.
Anyone burning outdoors must have adequate tools and water at the site to contain the fire. People inside municipal boundaries must also check with their local fire department before burning, as local bylaws, permits or fire bans may apply.
The safest choice during dry, windy or uncertain conditions is not to burn.
How to Report a Wildland Fire
To report a wildland fire north of the French and Mattawa rivers, call 310-FIRE (3473).
To report a wildland fire south of the French or Mattawa rivers, call 911.
When reporting a fire, provide the best available location information. Useful details include the nearest community, highway, road, lake, river, kilometre marker, access point, direction of smoke, visible flame, approximate size and whether people or structures may be nearby.
What Residents and Travellers Should Watch For
People travelling through the Northwest Region should watch for smoke, emergency vehicles, aircraft activity, road restrictions and changing weather. Drivers should slow down where crews are working and avoid stopping in unsafe locations to take photos or watch fire operations.
Camp owners and rural residents should clear dry grass, leaves and combustible material away from buildings, propane tanks, woodpiles, decks and access routes. Boats and vehicles should not block roads, landings or turnarounds that may be needed by emergency crews.
Anyone planning to access Crown land, remote cabins, fishing areas or backroads near active fires should check current restrictions before leaving.
Latest Fire Status Summary
The latest Aviation, Forest Fire and Emergency Services update lists the Northwest Region at nine active fires.
Dryden 11, north of Ignace near Sandbar Lake, has been remapped to 150.3 hectares, with crews making good progress. Highway 599 has reopened, but caution is urged near work areas.
Fort Frances 4, south of Highway 11 near Factor Lake, remains at about 10 hectares and is not under control. An implementation order restricts travel on Factor Lake Road, shoreline access and use of identified Crown land.
Fort Frances 5, near Little Turtle Lake and Mine Centre, has been remapped to 14.9 hectares and is being held. An implementation order restricts travel on King Street in Mine Centre, shoreline access and use of identified Crown land.
Fort Frances 7, near Northwest Bay First Nation, remains about 20 hectares and is not under control. FireRanger crews are working with the local fire team.
Fort Frances 8, west of Lac La Croix First Nation on the west side of the Namakan River, is 8.6 hectares and not under control, though crews are making progress with help from favourable weather.
Kenora 8, east of the Manitoba border near Highway 17 and Moth Lake, was 0.1 hectares and is now out.
