There are currently 87 active wildfires in northwestern Ontario, as per the most recent report released by Ontario’s Aviation, Forest Fire and Emergency Services (AFFES) on Friday evening. Of these, 10 are not contained, six are being controlled, eight are under control, and the rest are being monitored.
Two new fires were confirmed in the northwest region on Friday evening:
– Nipigon 99 (NIP099) is situated east of Pays Plat, about 3 kilometers northeast of Highway 17 and 5.5 kilometers north of Rossport. This fire covers 0.1 hectare and is not under control.
– Nipigon 100 (NIP100) is located around 10.5 kilometers north of Highway 17 in Pays Plat and 2 kilometers northeast of West Fox Lake. This fire spans 0.1 hectare and is also not under control.
While most of northwestern Ontario has a low to moderate forest fire hazard, there are notable areas of high hazard in the southwestern parts, particularly in the Thunder Bay and Kenora districts.
Key wildfires in the region include:
– The Rinker Complex consisting of Thunder Bay 36, Dryden 34, and Dryden 35, which continue to pose significant firefighting challenges. Evacuation orders are still in effect for areas impacted by these fires.
– The Atikokan Cluster with Fort Frances 13, 14, and 15. Fort Frances 13 is now being observed, while Fort Frances 14 and 15 remain not under control.
As of Friday, approximately 829 individuals are displaced due to wildfires in Ontario, while around 2,000 evacuees from northwestern Ontario have returned home. The ministry of Emergency Preparedness and Response has been actively coordinating with various stakeholders to manage the situation effectively.
Amid the ongoing wildfire activity, two new evacuation alerts have been issued for Fort Frances 39 and Minnesota’s “Thumb Fire.” Residents in these areas are advised to be prepared for potential evacuation.
Additionally, there are highway closures in effect due to the wildfires, and the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) have urged the public to follow safety protocols and avoid non-essential travel in affected areas.
Furthermore, the ministry has allocated additional resources, including funding for new firefighting equipment and personnel, to enhance the wildfire response efforts. Aid is being provided to affected communities, and various support services are being mobilized to assist evacuees and firefighting operations.