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Seven Active Fires In Northwest

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Things are quieting down on the forest fire front in northwestern Ontario.

There was only one new start on the weekend, a small one adjacent to Highway 17, about 7 kilometres west of Keewatin.

There are currently seven active forest fires in the region, two are under control and five are being observed.

The fire hazard is mainly low to moderate with pockets of high in the districts of Red Lake, Fort Frances and Kenora.

Meantime, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry says a large forest fire burning about 35 kilometres away from Fort Hope First Nation is now under control.

The blaze is still listed at 6,678 hectares but crews have a handle on the fire.

The Ministry is now in the process of removing crews, equipment and aircraft.

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Low To Moderate Fire Hazard

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It was a quiet weekend on the forest fire front in northwestern Ontario.

Four new starts were reported in the Nipigon and Thunder Bay districts as well as a small one near the western shore of Wenasaga Lake, roughly 14 kilometres northeast of Ear Falls.

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry has managed to knock down the number of active fires from 33 on Saturday to 16.

Only one is considered not under control.

The forest fire hazard is low to moderate across the region with some high pockets persisting in the Nipigon sector.

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Forest Fire Hazard Drops Across Region

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There are 22 active fires in the Northwest region.

Only four are considered not under control.

There was one new fire reported Sunday, a small blaze near Gerry Lake, about 50 kilometres southeast of Red Lake.

The fire hazard is mainly low to moderate across the northwest.

The Thunder Bay sector features low to high conditions, while the Nipigon district is experiencing high to extreme fire conditions.

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Fort Hope Fire Continues To Grow

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A large forest fire near Fort Hope First Nation continues to grow.

The blaze, about 33 kilometres east of the remote northern community, is now listed at over 5,400 hectares in size.

The most vulnerable residents are being evacuated.

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry stresses the fire doesn’t directly threaten the First Nation but it is creating significant volumes of smoke that is resulting in air quality issues.

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Feds Working To Help Northern Evacuated Communities

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Federal Indigenous Services Minister Marc Miller says they are working with the provincial government to evacuate people in Red Lake and Fort Hope First Nation.

Miller says they have an Emergency Management Coordination group established to lead emergency relief efforts.

“Our team has touched base with local leadership to ensure that we are providing the supports and providing the proper evacuation protocols to ensure that people stay safe. It is a little more complex because of the fear of the coronavirus and the vulnerability of the local populations.”

Miller adds “As with the flood season. COVID-19 makes the potential evacuations much more complex. In respect to Red Lake and Eabametoong, there are a few hundred hectares that are on fire and at various levels of control.”

Fort Hope First Nation Chief Harvey Yesno says they’re concerned because the smoke and ash can interfere with emergency evacuation flights if the situation gets worse.

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Number Of Small Fires Recorded On Weekend

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It was a busy Sunday for Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry fire crews.

Firefighters responded to 12 new blazes by the late afternoon.

Six were in the Nipigon district, two in the Sioux Lookout region, two in the Thunder Bay district, while one was reported in both the Red Lake and Fort Frances areas.

Two were burning near the remote community of Bearskin Lake.

Another small fire sparked within Sandy Lake First Nation.

A cluster of fires also received air attack Sunday east of Fort Hope First Nation.

There are 20 active fires in the Northwest Region and 14 are listed as not under control.

The forest fire hazard is mainly high to extreme with some areas of low to moderate along the Ontario-Minnesota border.

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Three New Fires Reported In Region

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The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry is confirming three new forest fires in the region.

As of the late afternoon yesterday the Ministry confirmed a fire near Pikangikum as well as two fires in the Kenora area.

On Kenora area fire is located on an island on Lake Lulu 15km west of Kenora and the other is west of Hawk Lake and around 32km east of Kenora.

All of the new fires are 0.1 hectare in size and not under control.

There was an additional fire confirmed on an island on Dore Lake in the Dryden area on August 2nd, but has been declared out at 0.1 hectare in size.

There are currently 9 active fires in the region, three are not under control, three are under control and three are being observed.

The forest fire hazard is mainly high to moderate across the region.

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Busy Weekend For MNRF Fire Crews

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It was a steady weekend for Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry fire crews.

Firefighters responded to 12 new starts on the weekend as of late Sunday afternoon.

Eight ignited in the Sioux Lookout district.

None of the fires are cause for concern.

There are now 25 active fires in the Northwest region and 12 are considered not under control.

The fire hazard is high to extreme in the Dryden, Red Lake, Sioux Lookout and Kenora districts and low to moderate in the southern portions of the region including Fort Frances and Thunder Bay.

 

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Heat Warning Comes With Extreme Fire Threat

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The hot and dry weather has pushed the forest fire hazard to high to extreme across much of the northwest.

There are 14 active fires in the region and five are considered not under control.

Six new starts were listed by mid-afternoon Thursday.

Two sparked near Little Vermilion Lake, about 36 kilometres north of Red Lake.

The total size of the two are 7.5 hectares.

A 2.5 hectare fire is also burning on an island on Lake St. Joseph, roughly 87 kilometres southwest of Pickle Lake.

A Heat Warning is in effect across the northwest and thunderstorms are in the forecast so extreme caution is urged with all outdoor burning.

It will feel like 39 to 41 degrees with the humidity.

Extreme heat affects everyone.

The risks are greater for young children, pregnant women, older adults, people with chronic illnesses and people working or exercising outdoors.

Watch for the effects of heat illness: swelling, rash, cramps, fainting, heat exhaustion, heat stroke and the worsening of some health conditions.

Reduce your heat risk. Schedule outdoor activities during the coolest parts of the day.

Never leave people or pets inside a parked vehicle.

 

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Four New Fires On Weekend

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The cool and damp weather Sunday allowed Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry fire crews to make progress on several fires across the northwest.

There are now 15 active blazes in the region, down from 24 on Saturday afternoon.

Five are under control, four are being observed and six are being held.

The forest fire hazard is mainly low to moderate with an area of high in the Nipigon district.

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