THUNDER BAY – Rain and cooler temperatures have slowed down the wildfire hazard across Northwestern Ontario
There were no new forest fires in the Northwest Region by the late afternoon of May 23.
There is one active fire in the region at present.
- Kenora 25, a 19-hectare fire that was reported near Wabaseemoong Independent Nation in the Kenora sector, May 21, is now listed as being held.
Fire hazard in the Northwest Region
Widespread rains across the southern half of the region have reduced the forest fire hazard to low across the Kenora, Dryden Fort Frances, Thunder Bay sectors and north shore portion of the Nipigon sector. Conditions in the far north range from moderate to a high hazard in parts of the Red Lake sector.
Help prevent forest fires
Adopt safe campfire practices! Choose the site of your campfire carefully and keep your fire small. Stay nearby: never leave it unattended. Put your fire out by drowning it with water. Be sure that it is extinguished prior to leaving the site. Stir the ashes with a stick to uncover hot coals and then drown it again. You can never be too safe.
Consider alternatives to burning brush or yard waste, such as chipping or composting when possible, or saving burn piles for the fall or after the fire season. Use of outdoor fires must follow the outdoor burning rules set out in the Forest Fire Prevention Act of Ontario. Fires are to be started no sooner than two hours before sunset and extinguished no later than two hours after sunrise. Fires should never be left unattended and tools and water should be close at hand to put the fire out. More details on outdoor burning regulations can be found online at Ontario.ca/forestfire
To see a complete list of fires across the province click on the 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
