16 New Wildfires in Northwest District

THUNDER BAY – WILDFIRE UPDATE – There were 16 new fires confirmed in the Northwest Region by the mid-afternoon of Aug. 21.

At the time of this update there were 71 active fires in the Northwest Region. Sixteen of those fires were not under control, three were being held, five were under control and 47 were under observation. A total of 10 fires had been declared out at the time of this report.

Clear skies, warm temperatures and lower relative humidity levels across most of the region are creating receptive conditions for previous lightning strikes over the past several days to emerge from the ground as fires.

New fires for Aug. 21

• Fort Frances Fires 62 and 63 are located in the Pipestone lake area, approximately 65 kilometres north of Fort Frances. The 0.5 hectare (#62) and 0.2 hectares (#63) fires are not under control.
• Dryden Fire 64 is located near Quest Lake, approximately 86 kilometres northeast of Ignace. At 0.1 hectares the fire is not under control.
• Sioux Lookout Fire 134 is located near Strout Lake, approximately 53 kilometres west of Pickle Lake. The one hectare fire is not under control.
• Dryden Fire 63 is located near McHugh Creek, approximately 12.5 kilometres east of Dinorwic. The 0.1 hectare fire is not under control.
• Sioux Lookout Fires 132 and 133 are located east of Bamaji Lake, approximately 86 kilometres southwest of Pickle Lake. Both 0.1 hectares, the fires are not under control.
• Red Lake Fires 181 and 182 are located north of Pringle Lake, approximately 68 kilometres north of Red Lake. At 0.1 and 0. 5 hectares respectively, the fires are not under control.
• Red Lake Fire 180 is located east of Goose Lake, approximately 92 kilometres northeast of Red Lake. The 0.1 hectare fire is not under control.
• Sioux Lookout Fire 130 is located near Fairchild Lake, approximately 69 kilometres northeast of Sioux Lookout. The 0.1 hectare fire is not under control.
• Red Lake Fire 179 is located near Hanton Lake, approximately 52 kilometres northeast of Red Lake. At 0.1 hectares, the fire is not under control.\
• Nipigon Fire 65 is located south of Hebner Lake , approximately 155 kilometres north of Greenstone. The 1.0 hectare fire is not under control.
• Fort Frances Fire 61 is located near Clarkson lake, approximately 6.5 kilometres east of Nestor Falls. The 0.1 hectare fire is not under control.
• Red Lake Fire 178 is located approximately four kilometres northeast of Pikangikum. At 0.1 hectares, the fire is not under control.
• Kenora Fire 120 is located east of Caviar Lake, approximately 29 kilometres east of Sioux Narrows.  The 0.1 hectare fire is under control

Fire hazard in the Northwest Region
The fire hazard is mainly high across the Northwest Region with areas of extreme hazard in the Kenora, Dryden and Fort Frances Districts. The Thunder Bay and north shore of Lake Superior area ranges from a low to moderate 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.

Restricted Fire Zone

A Restricted Fire Zone, declared on Aug. 16, for portions of the Northwest Region remains in place until further notice.

This order is required to reduce the possibility of unwanted human caused fires. Resources are presently adequate though the potential for problematic fires exist.

Included in the Restricted Fire Zone are:

• Kenora District
• Fort Frances District
• Dryden District
• Portions of the Thunder Bay, Red Lake and Sioux Lookout Districts.

Not included in the Restricted Fire Zone are:

• City of Thunder Bay

The organized municipalities of:

• Neebing,
• Gillies,
• O’Connor
• Oliver/Paipoonge,
• Shuniah
• Dorion

The unincorporated areas of:

• Pass Lake
• Sleeping Giant Provincial Park

Residents outside the Restricted Fire Zone are urged to check with municipal fire department for local burning restrictions.

The use of open fires, such as campfires or burning of debris is not permitted. Portable gas and propane are allowed but must be safely managed. Commercial campground operators may allow their guests to have a campfire during a Restricted Fire Zone provided certain conditions are met.

Failure to comply with a Restricted Fire Zone could result in a fine of up to $25,000 and three months in jail, as well as the financial responsibility for the costs incurred in fighting a forest fire caused by the illegal act. To see a complete list of fires across the province and well as the details of Restricted Fire Zone boundaries 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 Chris Marchand