Northwest Ontario has 63 active wildfires, with Thunder Bay 36 now exceeding 301,000 hectares
THUNDER BAY — Ontario fire officials reported no new wildland fires in the Northwest Fire Region by Saturday evening, but crews continue to manage 63 active fires across Northwestern Ontario, including several very large fires in the Rinker Lake and Atikokan areas.
The largest remains Thunder Bay 36, now estimated at more than 301,000 hectares and still classified as not under control. While recent fire behaviour across the major complexes has been relatively low, hundreds of firefighters, aviation crews and support personnel remain deployed.
63 Wildland Fires Active Across Northwest Region
As of 6:01 p.m. CDT on Aug. 22, Aviation, Forest Fire and Emergency Services reported 63 active wildland fires in the Northwest Region.
Of those fires:
- five are not under control;
- four are being held;
- 11 are under control; and
- 43 are being observed.
No new wildland fires had been confirmed in the region by the time of the evening update.
Rinker Lake Complex Remains Major Northwestern Ontario Fire Operation
Fire activity across the Rinker Lake Complex continues to be described as low, but the scale of the fires means a significant firefighting operation remains in place.
The complex includes Thunder Bay 36, Dryden 34 and Dryden 35.
Approximately 184 personnel are assigned to the complex, including FireRanger crews from Ontario and Mexico, flight crews, engineers, overhead personnel, support staff and an Incident Management Team.
Fourteen helicopters are supporting operations, with aircraft equipped with belly tanks and buckets assisting ground crews.
The fires are currently estimated at:
- Thunder Bay 36 — 301,240 hectares, not under control
- Dryden 34 — 45,800 hectares, not under control
- Dryden 35 — 30,088 hectares, not under control
Together, the three fires cover more than 377,000 hectares.
For residents of Northwestern Ontario, the size of the complex remains significant even during periods of lower fire activity. Large fires can continue burning for extended periods, particularly in remote areas, and changing wind, temperature and humidity can quickly affect fire behaviour.
Atikokan Cluster Showing Low Fire Behaviour
Fire crews are also continuing operations on the Atikokan Cluster, which includes Fort Frances 13, Fort Frances 14 and Fort Frances 15.
Officials say low fire behaviour has been observed in recent days.
Firefighters are continuing to locate and extinguish hotspots identified through recent infrared scans.
More than 100 personnel are assigned to the complex, including firefighters from Ontario and Mexico.
Current fire sizes and conditions are:
- Fort Frances 13 — 25,476 hectares, being observed
- Fort Frances 14 — 51,768 hectares, not under control
- Fort Frances 15 — 42,273 hectares, not under control
The three fires cover approximately 119,500 hectares.
Airspace Restrictions Remain Around Thunder Bay 36 and Fort Frances 14
Pilots operating in Northwestern Ontario should be aware that Notices to Airmen, or NOTAMs, remain in effect in the areas of Thunder Bay 36 and Fort Frances 14.
The additional restrictions are above the standard limits already imposed around active forest fires under the Canadian Aviation Regulations.
Under Section 601.15, unauthorized aircraft are generally prohibited from operating within five nautical miles of an active forest fire and below 3,000 feet above ground level.
Those restrictions are designed to protect waterbombers, helicopters and other aircraft engaged in fire suppression.
Pilots should check current NOTAM information through NAV CANADA’s flight planning services before operating near affected areas.
Evacuation Orders, Alerts and Access Restrictions Can Change Quickly
Residents and travellers should continue checking for updates on evacuation orders, evacuation alerts and implementation orders affecting areas near active fires.
Ontario maintains updated information through its forest fire information page.
Changes to fire conditions, smoke, road access or community safety concerns can result in restrictions being added, changed or lifted with limited notice.
For remote First Nations, road-access communities and people travelling for hunting, fishing or work, checking conditions before departure is particularly important during a major fire season.
Fire Hazard Can Shift Rapidly Across Northwestern Ontario
Ontario’s forest fire danger rating is calculated using data from more than 130 weather stations across the province’s fire region.
The rating can change during the day as temperature, wind, humidity and precipitation change.
Residents can monitor conditions using Ontario’s interactive forest fire map.
Even where current fire activity is low, dry conditions and wind can quickly increase the risk of new starts or renewed fire behaviour.
Outdoor Burning Rules Remain in Effect
Ontario’s legislated fire season continues through Oct. 31.
Aviation, Forest Fire and Emergency Services is reminding residents that provincial outdoor fire rules remain in force.
The province recommends alternatives such as composting or using local landfill services instead of burning yard waste or woody debris.
Where outdoor burning is permitted, fires may generally be lit no sooner than two hours before sunset and must be extinguished no later than two hours after sunrise.
Anyone burning outdoors should have sufficient water and tools available to contain the fire.
Residents should review Ontario’s outdoor fire rules and check with local municipal fire departments for additional restrictions or permit requirements.
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.
Wildfire information, including current restrictions and regional updates, is also available at Ontario’s forest fire information page.
With more than 60 active fires remaining across Northwestern Ontario, residents should continue monitoring local conditions even as fire behaviour across the largest complexes remains subdued.
