Thunder Bay – Wildfire Update – The wet weekend weather has dampened down the forest fire hazard across the region.
Forest fire emergency restrictions to be lifted near Willard Lake – Kenora District
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry is advising the public that the forest fire Implementation Order that was put in place due to extreme fire activity in the Willard Lake area from the Kenora 25 and Kenora 30 fires, will no longer be in effect as of May 24, 2021 at 6:00am Central Standard Time. All restrictions related to the evacuation, travel, use and access of the previously identified areas within the Willard Lake area will be lifted.
The public is reminded that Kenora fires 25 and 30 are active fires with ongoing fire suppression. Please be mindful of crews working the fires and near roadways.
The interior of a forest fire is dangerous and the public should not enter this area. Trees with weakened root systems could fall over and cause injury. There will be visible smoke in the interior of this fire for some time. This is the normal process for extinguishing a forest fire.
Residents are reminded that an additional Implementation Order restricting public access to areas near the Kenora 27 fire, north of Minaki, ON, remains in effect until further notice.
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry would like to thank the public for their cooperation during this time.
- No new fires were discovered in the northwest region by the late afternoon of May 23.
- At the time of this update there were 15 active fires in the region. Six fires are not under control, two fires are being held and seven fires are under control. One fire was declared out today.
The wildland fire hazard is mainly low across the region with a few pockets of moderate hazard conditions. - To see the fire hazard near you, consult the interactive fire map at Ontario.ca/forestfire
- Fires of Note
Kenora 25 (2,062 hectares, not under control), Kenora 30 (1,162 hectares, not under control)- 21 crews and eight helicopters are working on both fires to extinguish hotspots. An additional five crews were assigned the fire today
- Continued wet weather and cool temps have resulted in minimal fire behaviour.
Infra-red scanning of the is ongoing to identify targets for crews.
- Kenora 27 (4,480 hectares, not under control)
- An Implementation Order remains in effect in the fire area for public safety and effective fire suppression.
- 10 FireRanger crews are at work extinguishing hotspots on the fire’s perimeter and establishing campsites and helipads for incoming crews.
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- Fire behaviour continues to be low as a result of wet weather.
Restrictions in the Kenora District due to Extreme Forest Fire Activity
Area surrounding Kenora Fire 27
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, Kenora District, is advising the public that due to extreme forest fire activity in the Kenora area from the KEN027 fire, an Implementation Order is in effect until further notice that restricts access and use of certain roads and Crown lands. All travel, use and access to the following areas are prohibited: Sand Lake Road from the intersection of Hwy 596, east through to the English River Road, and all branch roads within; English River Road beginning at unnamed road (1 kilometre north of Forgotten Lake), through to Lennan Road, including all roads within. All use or occupation of Crown land on or within 500 metres of the described closed roads above is prohibited. No person shall enter those areas and all non-essential personnel in those identified areas must evacuate immediately, unless authorized by a travel permit issued by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry. For information on how to obtain a travel permit please contact the Kenora District office 807-407-9673. View the map (PDF).
