No new wildland fires reported in Northwest Region on May 24
THUNDER BAY — Ontario’s Aviation, Forest Fire and Emergency Services reported no new wildland fires in the Northwest Region by the early evening of May 24.
As of the 5:47 p.m. CDT update, there was one active fire in the region. Officials report that fire is under control.
Northwest Region fire situation remains stable
The latest update is a relatively quiet one for Northwestern Ontario, where wildfire activity can change quickly depending on wind, temperature, humidity and lightning activity.
For Thunder Bay and surrounding communities, even a low number of active fires is worth watching. The Northwest Region includes vast forested areas, remote communities, major transportation corridors, hydro infrastructure, resource roads and fly-in communities where wildfire response can be complex.
The current regional hazard map shows parts of Northwestern Ontario in the low to moderate range. The province’s interactive fire map is updated throughout the day using data from more than 130 weather stations across Ontario’s fire region. Blank areas on the map indicate that no current data is available for that Ministry of Natural Resources district.
Outdoor fire rules remain in effect
Aviation, Forest Fire and Emergency Services is reminding residents that Ontario’s outdoor fire rules are in effect during the legislated fire season, which runs from April 1 to Oct. 31.
Residents are encouraged to use alternatives to burning yard waste or woody debris, including composting or taking material to a local landfill where available.
Anyone who must burn is urged to use extreme care and follow Ontario’s Wildland Fire Management regulation. 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 enough water and tools on site to control and extinguish the fire.
Check local rules before burning
Residents inside municipal boundaries should check with their local fire department before burning. Municipal fire bans, permits and restrictions may differ from provincial rules and can change quickly depending on local conditions.
That is especially important in Thunder Bay, rural communities and camp areas where dry grass, brush and forest edges can allow small fires to spread faster than expected.
Why this matters in Northwestern Ontario
Wildfire season is a major public safety issue across the Northwest. Fires can threaten homes, trap motorists on remote roads, affect forestry and mining activity, disrupt rail and highway corridors, and create smoke conditions that affect air quality in Thunder Bay and across the region.
Indigenous communities, many of them remote or road-limited, can face added challenges when wildfire smoke or fire behaviour forces evacuations. Early reporting and careful outdoor fire practices remain key parts of reducing risk.
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.
For fire prevention tips and current fire information, residents can follow Ontario Forest Fires on Facebook, Instagram and X at @ONforestfires and @ONfeudeforet, or visit Ontario.ca/FireUpdates.
