THUNDER BAY – There were seven new fires were confirmed in the Northwest Region by the early evening of August 12, 2020. This brings the total to 32 active fires. There are 16 of those fires which are listed as not under control. That includes Red Lake #49. Red Lake #49 has caused the evacuation of the community.
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- Fort Frances 44 (0.1 hectares) and Fort Frances 45 (0.1 hectares) are located near Mercutio Lake, approximately 34 and 41 kilometres northeast of Atikokan, respectively. Both fires are not under control.
- Thunder Bay 58 is located near the Wawiag River, approximately 108 kilometres west of Thunder Bay. The 1.5 hectare sized fire is not under control.
- Red Lake 50 is located near Perrigo Lake, approximately 99 kilometres east of Red Lake. The 0.1 hectare fire is not under control.
- Nipigon 54 is located near Upper Roslyn Lake, approximately 57 kilometres northeast of Nipigon. The 0.1 hectare fire is not under control.
Thunder Bay 59 is located west of Lac Des Mille Lacs approximately 34 kilometres northwest of Kashbowie. The fire is not under control at 0.3 hectares. - Fort Frances 46 is located near Little Grey Trout Lake, approximately 45 kilometres northwest of Atikokan. The fire is not under control at 0.2 hectares.
- At the time of this update there are 32 active fires in the Northwest Region. Sixteen fires are not under control, three fires are being held, four fires are under control and nine fires are being observed. Three fires were declared out today.
- The forest fire hazard is high to extreme across the Northwest Region.
- To see the fire hazard near you and to monitor the fire situation in your area, consult the interactive fire map at Ontario.ca/forestfire
Fire Updates
- Red Lake 49
- Located three kilometres south of the Red Lake townsite and three kilometres west of Hwy. 105, good progress has been reported in slowing the spread of the fire towards the community.
- At the time of this update Red Lake 49 is approximately 750 hectares in size and not under control.
- 15 four-person FireRanger crews have been assigned to the fire.
- Heavy machinery is engaged in building fireguards.
- 8 helicopters spent the day in support of ground crews, bucketing water onto the fire’s edges.
- An air attack package, consisting of two CL-415 water bombers and a bird dog escort aircraft, is available as required.
- Hwy. 105 remains open (southbound).
- Hwy. 618 accessing Madsen remains closed.
- For up to date road closure information check 511.on.ca.
- An Incident Management Team has assumed command of the fire.
- A municipal evacuation order is in place.
- Residents can find evacuation-related updates on the Municipality of Red Lake’s Facebook page and on local radio stations.
- Nipigon 45
- Located approximately 38 kilometres west/southwest of Eabametoong First Nation (Fort Hope), smoke from Nipigon 45 is causing air quality concerns for the remote community, situated on the Albany River.
- At the time of this update Nipigon 45 is 3,603 hectares in size and not under control.
- Community leaders in Eabametoong have decided to evacuate vulnerable members of the community as a first stage and are considering further options.
- 7 FireRanger crews are currently committed to Nipigon 45.
- A Type 2 Incident Management Team has been assigned to the fire.
Follow Ontario’s Outdoor Burning Regulations
Aviation, Forest Fire and Emergency Services would like to remind the public to use caution when performing any outdoor burning. In order to dispose of yard waste and woody debris, we encourage you to use methods such as composting or using your local landfill. If you must burn, follow Ontario’s outdoor burning regulations.
Fires are to be ignited no sooner than 2 hours before sunset and extinguished no later than 2 hours after sunrise.
Always have tools/water adequate to contain the fire at the site.