\THUNDER BAY — WILDFIRE UPDATE — September 14, 2026 — No new wildland fires were confirmed in Ontario’s Northwest Fire Region by Sunday evening, according to Aviation, Forest Fire and Emergency Services.
As of 5:21 p.m. CDT, there were 45 active wildland fires across the region:
- Four fires were being held.
- Eleven fires were under control.
- Thirty fires were being observed.
The number of active fires can change as incidents are extinguished, reassessed or discovered.
Check the Fire Hazard Before Heading Outdoors
Wildland fire conditions can differ considerably between communities. Residents, campers, hunters and others travelling into remote areas should check local conditions before leaving.
Ontario’s interactive forest fire map provides current fire locations and regional hazard ratings. The ratings are calculated using information collected from more than 130 weather stations across Ontario’s fire region.
The map is updated as weather and fire conditions change throughout the day. The hazard information referenced in the September 14 report was current as of 5:09 p.m. CDT.
Outdoor Burning Rules Remain in Effect
Ontario’s legislated fire season runs from April 1 through October 31. Outdoor burning rules remain in force throughout this period.
The Ministry of Natural Resources recommends composting yard waste or taking woody debris to a local landfill instead of burning it.
When outdoor burning is permitted, fires must be started no earlier than two hours before sunset and extinguished no later than two hours after sunrise.
Anyone conducting an outdoor burn should:
- Keep sufficient water and firefighting tools at the site.
- Maintain control of the fire at all times.
- Never leave a fire unattended.
- Fully extinguish the fire before leaving.
- Check for municipal burning restrictions and permit requirements.
Residents can review Ontario’s outdoor fire rules and permit information. Provincial requirements are outlined in Ontario’s Wildland Fire Management regulation.
Municipal rules may be more restrictive. Residents living within municipal boundaries should contact their local fire department before burning.
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.
Additional information about the provincial fire situation is available at Ontario.ca/FireUpdates.
Updates are also available through Ontario’s English and French forest-fire social-media accounts, @ONforestfires and @ONfeudeforet.
Source: Aviation, Forest Fire and Emergency Services, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources. Report issued September 14, 2026, at 5:21 p.m. CDT.
