New Wildfires Erupt in Northwestern Ontario

A fresh wave of wildland fires has broken out in northwestern Ontario.

The Ministry of Natural Resources’ Aviation, Forest Fire and Emergency Services announced on Saturday that eight new fires have started.

Sioux Lookout 111 (SLK111) is situated near Sunlight Lake, about 15 kilometres north of Lac Seul. The fire covers 0.1 hectares and is under control.

Sioux Lookout 112 (SLK112) can be found north of Schist Lake, roughly seven kilometres north of Highway 516. This fire spans 1.5 hectares and is not under control.

Fort Frances 57 (FOR057) is located near Mang Lake, around four kilometers northwest of Highway 502. The fire measures 0.1 hectares and is currently not under control.

Fort Frances 58 (FOR058) sits between Konigson Lake and Calder Lake, covering an area of 0.1 hectares and is also not under control.

Dryden 60 (DRY060) lies north of Buller Lake, approximately eight kilometres east of Highway 105. This fire, measuring 0.2 hectares, is being held at the moment.

Dryden 61 (DRY061) can be found near Rafter Lake, roughly nine kilometres west of Highway 72. The size here is also at 0.1 hectares and it’s under control.

Thunder Bay 70 (THU070) is positioned in Wabakimi Park, about one kilometre west of Beagle Lake. This fire spans across 0.7 hectares and remains uncontrolled.

Nipigon 88 (NIP088), which covers an area of approximately 24 kilometres southwest of Sebert Lake, extends to a size of 0.3 hectares and is currently being monitored.

The total number of active wildland fires has risen to 130; among these are thirty fires listed as not under control, ten that are being held, and eighty-five that are being observed.

The biggest blaze within Wabikimi Provincial Park has shown some increased activity recently.

Fourteen firefighting crews from Ontario along with a team from Alberta as well as a twenty-member crew from Mexico are actively engaged in firefighting efforts with aerial support included.

A fire that began near Weaver Lake-about seventy kilometres north of Upsala-is reported to have merged with another fire; its total area now stands at thirty thousand seven hundred fifty-eight hectares.

In Quetico Park, there’s a significant blaze consuming twenty-five thousand two hundred seventy-nine hectares near the southern end which continues to be monitored closely.

This fire also stretches into Minnesota territory.

To the northeast region surrounding the park, the Aviation Forest Fire and Emergency Services team is utilizing a drone to search for hot spots on two fires including one around Lac Des Mille Lac area.

Firefighters already present on this site were joined by another Mexican crew today to enhance suppression efforts.

They are positioned across various locations along the perimeter using pumps and hose systems while continuing to work together with ongoing helicopter support dropping water on hotspots as needed.

Regarding the fire that started close to Olifaunt Lake in Quetico Park, authorities indicate crews concentrated their efforts on the northern side where flames were more aggressive.


Helicopters have been assisting by dropping water onto the affected areas.






The situation regarding the blaze southward from Ignace in both Upper & Lower Moosehide Lakes has improved significantly; it’s now classified as being held while firefighters continue suppression activities alongside bucketing helicopters.

Randy Thoms is a veteran news broadcaster with over forty years’ experience. He’s based in Fort Frances and reports stories across northwestern Ontario. You can reach Randy at thoms. randy@radioabl. ca.</iSource link” target=”_blank” >” View all posts“

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