THUNDER BAY – The forest fire hazard across the Northwest region has continued to climb as warm weather continues across the district. The MNRF report that “There was one new fire confirmed in the Northwest Region by the afternoon of July 30. Red Lake District Fire 019 is not under control at 0.1 hectares and is located near Kirkness Lake”.
There is some positive news, as Sioux Lookout District Fire 022 has been declared out at 30 hectares.
There are currently 14 active fires in the region:
- Nipigon District Fire 023 is a lightning-caused fire listed at 960 hectares in size. It is being observed and is located about 30 kilometres west of Neskantaga First Nation in the far north.
- Nipigon District Fire 024 is a lightning-caused fire listed at 0.2 hectares in size. It is being observed and is located on an island in Nibinamik Lake, 29 km east of Wunnumin Lake First Nation.
- Red Lake District Fire 003 in Woodland Caribou Provincial Park is being observed at a size of 74,334 hectares.
- Sioux Lookout District Fire 020 is under control at 40 hectares. This lightning-caused fire is located about 83 kilometres north of Pickle Lake.
- Sioux Lookout District Fire 021, located about 95 kilometres north, northwest of Pickle Lake in the Pipestone River Provincial Park. It is listed as being observed at 16.0 hectares in size.
- Sioux Lookout District Fire 023, located about 35 kilometres west, southwest of Kingfisher Lake in a remote location is a lightning-caused fire. It is listed as being observed at 53 hectares in size.
- Sioux Lookout District Fire 025, located in the far north near the Kakagiwizida River, east of the Pipestone River. It is listed as being observed at 2.5 hectares in size.
- Sioux Lookout District Fire 026, located in the far north about 32 kilometres east of Pipestone River Provincial Park between Obigan and Brock Lake. It is a lightning-caused fire listed as being observed at 15 hectares in size.
- Sioux Lookout District Fire 027, located in the far north about 21 kilometres north, northeast of the Pipestone River Provincial Park. It is a lightning-caused fire listed as being observed at 9.0 hectares in size.
- Sioux Lookout District Fire 028, located 46 kilometres northeast of Cat Lake is being observed at 20 hectares in size.
- Sioux Lookout District Fire 029, located 40 kilometres north of Cat Lake is being observed at 100 hectares in size.
- Sioux Lookout District Fire 30, located 24 kilometres north, northeast of Cat Lake is being observed at 20 hectares in size.
- Thunder Bay District Fire 028 is being held at 2.4 hectares and is located near Garden Lake.
- Red Lake District Fire 019 is not under control at 0.1 hectares and is located near Kirkness Lake.
On the water boating this summer? Be aware of Waterbombers!!
From April 1 to October 31, waterways are used by CL-415 water bombers to suppress wildfires. When CL-415 waterbombers approach a lake, people in watercrafts are asked to move close to the shore so the waterbombers can perform their scoop.
This ensures safety for both the people and the aircraft. It also supports the firefighting effort because a waterbomber will not scoop from a lake if encroaching watercrafts pose a safety hazard. This in turn causes a delay in waterbombing on the fire as they wait for the watercrafts to clear the area, or have to seek a water source further from the fire to scoop safely.
Waterbombers often perform circuits when fighting a fire so more than one waterbomber could be scooping from the waterway in close intervals.
Fire numbers and online information:
- Forest Fire Reporting Number – 310-FIRE (3473)
- Fire Information Line for general Northwest Region updates
1-888-258-8842
