THUNDER BAY – WILDFIRE Update – The warm weather, combined with thunderstorms has raised the number of new fires in Northwestern Ontario.
Aviation, Forest Fire and Emergency Services (AFFES) report:
There were seven new fires confirmed in the Northwest Region by the afternoon of July 9.
- Nipigon 29 is located approximately 10 kilometres southeast of the remote community of Summer Beaver (Nibinamik). At 220 hectares the fire is not under control.
- Approximately 19 kilometres to the northeast of Summer Beaver, Nipigon 30 has grown to over 3,500 hectares in a relatively short timeframe. Burning away from the community, the lightning-caused fire is not under control. Along with Nipigon 29, AFFES officials are forming a suppression plan for this fast-growing fire.
- Nipigon 31 is situated 35 kilometres west of the remote community of Fort Hope. The 1.5-hectare lightning-caused fire is not under control.
- Nipigon Fire 32 is located 34 kilometres northwest of the community of Webequie in the far north. At eight hectares, the fire is not under control.
- Kenora Fire 68 is a 0.1-hectare lightning start located on an island on Shoal Lake. The fire is under observation.
- Dryden Fire 19 is located approximately 14 kilometres east of Red Lake Road and south of the CN Rail line. The fire is being held at 0.2 hectares.
- Red Lake Fire 66 is located just west of Wenasaga Lake, approximately nine kilometres north of Ear Falls. At three hectares in size, it was not under control at the time of this update.
The fire hazard is predominantly high in the Northwest with pockets of extreme hazard in the Red Lake and Sioux Lookout Districts. Low to moderate hazard conditions prevail in the Thunder Bay, Quetico, and North Shore regions.
Currently, there are 50 active fires in the Northwest Region, 42 of which are either under observation, being held or under control.
The Northwest Region has committed 30 (four-person) FireRanger crews, 28 overhead staff and one logistics team to the Northeast Region. There they will join a force of over 400 personnel from the province and beyond who have been called upon to assist the Northeast with a very active forest fire situation.
To see a complete list of fires across the province click on our interactive map. You can also get the latest update on the condition of any fire by clicking the fire icon.
Fire numbers and online information:
- Forest Fire Reporting Number – 310-FIRE (3473)
- Twitter account
Report prepared by Chris Marchand
