THUNDER BAY – There was one new fire confirmed in the Northwest Region by the afternoon of July 26.
- Sioux Lookout 36 is located approximately 22 kilometres southwest of the remote community of Weagamow. The fire is not under control at two hectares in size.
Several new fires were also reported in the evening hours of July 25.
- Nipigon 12 was located near Hwy. 17 on the Nipigon outskirts. The 0.1 hectare fire has been declared out.
- Sioux Lookout 35 is located west of Caley Lake, approximately 27 kilometres west of the community of Mishkeegogamang. The 0.1 hectare fire is under control.
- Fort Frances 14 is located on the eastern shore of Tupman Lake, approximately 41 kilometres northeast of Fort Frances. The 0.1 hectare fire is under control.
There are currently 19 active fires in the region. One fire is not under control, two fires are being held, five fires are under control, and 11 fires are being observed.
Fire hazard for the Northwest Region
The forest fire hazard in the region ranges from low to moderate in the Kenora, Dryden, Fort Frances, Thunder Bay and Nipigon sectors. Hazard conditions in the Red Lake and Sioux Lookout sectors range from moderate to high and extreme.
End of travel restrictions in parts of Red Lake district due to forest fire
The implementation order for travel and access restrictions that was in place to ensure the safety of the public and emergency response personnel in the Red Lake District has been lifted.
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
