Update on Forest Fires in Northwestern Ontario

As of the latest report from Ontario’s Aviation, Forest Fire and Emergency Services (AFFES) released Thursday night, there are currently 113 active wildfires in northwestern Ontario.

Out of these, 17 fires are not under control, 10 are being held, two are under control, and the remaining fires are being monitored.

By Thursday evening, four new fires were confirmed in the area:

Thunder Bay 76 (THU076) is located about 13 kilometers west of Highway 527, north of Dog Lake. The fire covers an area of 0.2 hectares and is being held. Thunder Bay 77 (THU077) is situated approximately 5 kilometers east of Lookout Road, near the west side of Aldridge Lake. This fire measures 0.1 hectares and is not under control. Fort Frances 61 (FOR061) was found around 4.3 kilometers west of Fort Frances 14’s western boundary, close to Byers Lake. This fire was reported at a size of 0.1 hectares. Nipigon 96 (NIP096) is located in Rainbow Falls Provincial Park near Whitesand Lake and covers an area of 0.1 hectares; this fire is also not under control.

The forest fire risk level is mostly low to somewhat moderate throughout the northwest region, although there’s a high hazard zone near the Manitoba border.

Fires to Watch in the Region

The Rinker Complex includes Thunder Bay 36 (THU036), Dryden 34 (DRY034), and Dryden 35 (DRY035). Thunder Bay 36 remains the largest fire in the region at over 301,000 hectares and is still not under control. “The Rinker Lake Complex fires have exhibited an increase in fire behaviour over the past few days,” stated AFFES. Atikokan Cluster consists of Fort Frances 14 (FOR014), Fort Frances 15 (FOR015), and Fort Frances 13 (FOR013). “An additional group of wildland firefighters from Mexico arrived, were briefed and placed on the fire line to join operations on Aug. 1,” mentioned AFFES. Dryden 36: Upper and Lower Moosehide Lakes has seen suppression efforts for several weeks but now stands under control at a size of 1,710 hectares,” reported Ontario Forest Fires. Highway 599 Cluster comprises Sioux Lookout 84 (SLK084), Sioux Lookout 86 (SLK086), Sioux Lookout 89 (SLK089). “There has been no.. recent growth observed on [this] cluster of fires,” said AFFES.

Over 1,600 Individuals Remain Displaced

As per Jill Dunlop, Ontario’s minister for emergency preparedness and response as of Thursday, about 1,638 individuals from this region continue to be evacuated due to wildfires.

A total of 14 communities have been evacuated while six have returned home.

Ontario’s emergency preparedness minister Jill Dunlop provided updates regarding wildfire situations in northern Ontario during a press conference at Toronto’s Ontario Emergency Management Headquarters on July 20,2026.(Evan Mitsui/CBC)

“The number of evacuees is reported into the Provincial Emergency Operations Centre(PEOC) by community leadership. Evacuation numbers may fluctuate as community leadership confirm total numbers with ministry,” wrote spokesperson Julia Facca last Wednesday.

The ministry has conducted over 100 coordination calls involving First Nation chiefs, leaders from various communities, supporting partners for emergency management, muncipalities, and federal government since receiving its first Request for Assistance on July 14 according to Dunlop.

Evacuation Orders Still Active

Evacuation orders or alerts remain effective for areas surrounding these fires:

If you’re under evacuation orders, you must leave that area; if you’re under evacuation alerts, you should prepare yourself for potential evacuation.

A restricted fire zone remains active across Northwestern Ontario along with a small part in northeastern Ontario meaning open-air burning including campfires isn’t allowed.

Notice to Air Missions or NOTAMs have also been issued concerning Thunder Bay36and Fort Frances14.

This Friday saw updates made regarding implementation orders related specifically to active Thunder Bay36 ,56, and Dryden34 ,35 within Thunder Bay-Ignace District removing some regions previously included.

An updated implementation order invoking travel restrictions around areas close by Fort Frances14 has also been implemented since Aug.1 by Ministry Of Natural Resources.

The implementation along with evacuation orders affecting active wildfire Dryden36 have officially been lifted as well this Friday.

Current Highway Closures

The province’s interactive highway map indicates certain roads closed due to wildfire activity:All lanes along Lac des Mille Lacs Road between Inwood Road up until Highway17are blocked off both ways. Highway811is shut down except local traffic leaving that area. The section connecting Tertiary Highway811to Armstrong along with Highway527 has closed both directions.

The Ontario Provincial Police(OPP) urges residents prioritizing safety while considering responders’ well-being as well :Stay clear away from affected regions, and avoid visiting wildfire sites simply for photos or videos. Stay calm while following all issued evacuation directives plus emergency instructions given by local authorities. Avoid unnecessary traveling through impacted zones. Stay updated via official sources regarding current information alongside evacuation alerts. Keep roadways accessible so that first responders can perform their duties efficiently. If evacuating, take essential medications, basic identification documents along with your mobile devices chargers plus any needed items supporting family members pets.

Email Delivery Service Notifications From Canada Post

Certain mail deliveries were halted within respective communities owing mainly towards ongoing wildfire activities:Gull Bay. Armstrong Station(evacuated). Collins(evacuated).

No New Fires Reported In Northeast Area

No fresh incidents were confirmed throughout northeast territories until Wednesday evening:There exists42activewildfires here. Included among them one isn’t controlled, two hold status whilst another pair effectively remain regulated with other incidents monitored consistently.

Mainly high ratings exist concerning forestfire dangers stretching across northeasternontario complemented by extreme hazards primarily appearing further northwards closer towards Timmins’area.

Pockets registering either low/moderate risks do get noticed nearby southern sections too.

Aid Measures For Fighting Wildfires

In response against forest blazes, a hundred contracted aircraft(which incorporates seven medium helicopters )remain actively deployed during wildfire seasons specified per Ministry Of Natural Resources. Moreover up-to80additional crews could be accessed using private contracts when required. Furthermore it announced $650 million will be set aside aimed specifically towards purchasing six new waterbombers plus five novel helicopters. Additionally170new permanent firefighter positions will arise covering crew lead roles combined through boosted compensations extended overall staff inclusive firefighters alongside pilots. Notably an after-action review shall occur assessing past responses aiding future strategic improvements. Also four Ontario Corps partners & seventeenvolunteers enlisted thereby supplying equipment/supplies consisting outlaid quantities :312airpurifiers ;84filters; five scrubbers ;7 ,040 masks &4 ,676 hygiene kits accompanied alongside80food hampers. Furthermore apparatus such airpurifiers & scrubbers headed directly reaching five First Nations enabling them retaining residence within their communities. To enhance these efforts organizations namely Feed Ontarioalongside Ontario Federationof Indigenous Friendship Centres work collaboratively shipping food distributions targeting evacuees. Additionally Kaministiquia&Upsalafire departments represent regional services receiving wildland firefighting gear courtesy Global Medic. Mexico/Alberta/New Brunswick/Newfoundland/Yukon/PEI together forming partnership assisting province-wide initiatives.

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