THUNDER BAY – As expected, the hot weather has increased the fire hazard in Northwestern Ontario.
Northwest Region
There were 13 new fires confirmed in the region by the late afternoon of August 11.
- Sioux Lookout Fire Number 112 is being observed at 0.2 hectares and is located on an island on North Caribou Lake in the far north of Sioux Lookout District, approximately 46 kilometres east of the far north community of Weagamow.
- Dryden Fire Number 53 is not under control at 0.2 hectares and is located near Sparkling Lake, approximately 190 kilometres east of Dryden.
- Thunder Bay Fire Number 48 is not under control at 1.1 hectares and is located near Mojikit Lake, approximately 271 kilometres north of Thunder Bay.
- Dryden Fire Number 54 is being held at 0.2 hectares and is located near Eva Lake, 118 kilometres east of Dryden.
- Sioux Lookout Fire Number 113 is being observed at 1 hectare and is located on an island on Lac Seul, approximately 19 kilometres southeast of Ear Falls.
- Red Lake Fire Number 165 is not under control at 2 hectares and is located near Paishk Lake, 39 kilometres northwest of Red Lake.
- Thunder Bay Fire Number 49 is not under control at 0.2 hectares and is located near Keyhole Lake, 212 kilometres north of Thunder Bay.
- Fort Frances Fire Number 49 is not under control at 1.0 hectare and is located near Mack Lake, 61 kilometres southeast of Atikokan.
- Kenora Fire Number 107 has been declared out at 0.1 hectares and was located on the south end of Longbow Lake.
- Dryden Fire Number 55 has been declared out at 0.1 hectares and was located near Michel Lake, 3 kilometres northeast of Ignace.
- Kenora Fire Number 108 is not under control at 0.2 hectares and is located on the north side of Caribou Lake, 59 kilometres north/northwest of Dryden.
- Kenora Fire Number 109 is not under control at 0.4 hectares and is located near Moose Lake, 46 kilometres north of Dryden.
- Thunder Bay Fire Number 50 is not under control at 0.1 hectares and is located near Lake, 198 kilometres north of Thunder Bay.
Three fires were confirmed by the end of the day on August 10. All of these fires have been declared out.
There are 82 active fires in the region, 73 of which are either under observation, being held or under control.
Smoke drift from western Canada will be visible in the Northwest Region today.
Fire hazard in the Northwest Region
The fire hazard is predominantly high across the Northwest region with areas of extreme hazard in the Kenora and Fort Frances Districts. An extreme hazard also exists in the far northern portions of the Red Lake and Sioux Lookout Districts. The city of Thunder Bay and north shore of Lake Superior areas range from a moderate to low hazard.
Ontario Parks restricts access in Woodland Caribou Provincial Park
Several large fires in Woodland Caribou Park have necessitated some restrictions for backcountry travellers. Ontario Parks is restricting access to some canoe routes as well as access to a number of lakes. You can find more details here.
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 Jonathan Scott
