As of the latest update from Ontario’s Aviation, Forest Fire and Emergency Services (AFFES) released Friday night, there are currently 109 active wildfires in northwestern Ontario.
Out of these, 13 fires are not controlled, six are being held, another six are under control, and the remainder are being monitored.
No new fires have been reported in the northwest region as of Saturday evening.
The forest fire risk is generally low across most of northwestern Ontario, although some areas show moderate to high risk.
Key Fires in the Area
The Rinker Complex: This includes Thunder Bay 36, Dryden 34, and Dryden 35 – and it continues to be one of the largest firefighting efforts in the region. Thunder Bay 36 covers 301,240 hectares, Dryden 34 spans 45,800 hectares and Dryden 35 covers 31,510 hectares. All three remain uncontrolled. According to AFFES, there are 25 firefighting crews working here – including teams from Ontario, Alberta, Nova Scotia and Mexico – along with heavy machinery and support staff. Seventeen helicopters are also part of this operation. Crews are focused on putting out hotspots and creating fire breaks while helicopter bucket drops occur as necessary. An evacuation order is still active for areas impacted by all three fires. Atikokan Cluster: Fires Fort Frances 13, 14 and 15 also remain uncontrolled. These fires cover areas measuring 25,279 hectares for Fort Frances 13; Fort Frances 14 at 51,768 hectares; and Fort Frances 15 at around42,273 hectares. AFFES reports that light rain fell overnight in parts of this cluster with over 20 millimeters noted near Fort Frances 14. Fire activity remains low here too. Eight helicopters have been assigned to assist while crews work hotspots and patrol perimeters especially around Fort Frances 14 and 15. Evacuation orders continue for Fort Frances 14 while alerts stay active for Fort Frances 15 along with surrounding regions.Over 1,600 People Still Displaced
As per Jill Dunlop-the province’s minister of emergency preparedness-around 1,638 residents from the area are still evacuated due to wildfires as of Thursday. A total of 14 communities have had evacuations while six have returned home. Ontario’s emergency preparedness minister Jill Dunlop provides an update on the wildfire situation in northern Ontario during a news conference at the Ontario Emergency Management Headquarters in Toronto 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 the total number of evacuated community members with the ministry,” said spokesperson Julia Facca last Wednesday. The ministry has conducted more than 100 coordination calls involving First Nation chiefs as well as leaders from communities alongside emergency management partners since receiving its first Request for Assistance on July 14 according to Dunlop.Evacuation Orders Still Active
Evacuation orders or alerts continue for those nearby following fires: If you’re under an evacuation order you need to leave immediately whereas those under an alert should get ready to evacuate if needed. A restricted fire zone exists across northwestern Ontario plus a small section of northeastern Ontario which prohibits any open-air burning including campfires. Notice to Air Missions or NOTAMs has been issued regarding Thunder Bay 36 and Fort Frances 14. Updates were made recently about changes affecting implementation orders concerning Thunder Bay 36; also affecting Dryden’s areas namely Dryden 34-35 within Thunder Bay-Ignace District on Friday by removing certain previously included zones. The Ministry of Natural Resources’ Thunder Bay-Ignace District initiated an updated implementation order effective August first regarding travel limitations near Fort Frances fourteen. The evacuation alerts regarding active wildfire known as “Little Knife” near Minnesota-Fort Frances thirteen-have been lifted now though suppression efforts continue but no longer pose public safety concerns associated with them elsewhere restrictions persist concerning other regional wildfires. Highway Closures Currently In Effect Based upon information found within provincial interactive highway maps several roads remain closed due primarily due to ongoing wildfire activities: Highway five twenty-seven closes both ways between Kopka River & first Avenue located within Armstrong. Highway eight eleven closes both directions between Weaver River & Dog River Road situated inside Armstrong. Lac des Mille Lacs Road blocks traffic traveling two ways commencing from Inwood Road leading towards Highway seventeen close by Upsala. The OPP strongly urges individuals prioritizing their own safety alongside that towards emergency responders accordingly:- Stay clear away from affected locations plus avoid visiting wildfire scenes aiming solely toward taking photographs/videos respectively.
- Remain composed whilst adhering strictly toward any given evacuation orders coupled alongside emergency directives announced through local authorities.
- Limit non-essential travels throughout impacted regions whenever possible.
- Keep track closely via official outlets ensuring access relevant updates informing evacuations etc.
- Do not return prematurely without clearance deemed safe by officials post-evacuating.
- If needing evacuation ensure essential medications , identification documents , mobile devices along chargers brought forth beforehand , additionally items required supporting family/pets brought too.
Canada Post Delivery Service Notices
Mail delivery suspensions occurred across numerous communities owing mainly caused by wildfires :Gull Bay. Armstrong Station (evacuation order). Collins (evacuation order).
No New Fires Reported in Northeast Region
No additional confirmations arose concerning new wildfires existing northeastward lately stated until Saturday evening :
Currently forty-three active wilderness flames report amidst northeastern territory encompassing two uncontrolled instances whilst holding one capable remaining actively supervised amid thirty-eight noted observing safely
Fire dangers stay rated highly throughout northeastern dominions though extreme hazards persist appearing sparsely far north extending nearer TimminsPockets emerge displaying lower-moderate threats observed spotted additionally southward spanning regions present too.
Aiding Efforts against Wildfires
One hundred aircraft contracted-including seven medium helicopters responding continuously current wildfire season highlighted department’s measures furthermore they can utilize extra eighty-four crews potentially through private agreements when deemed necessary same time maintaining focus reducing potential future losses further government allocation $650 million introduced recently targeting acquisition seeks obtain six new waterbombers subsequently five fresh helicopter additions specifically aimed tackling rampant flames scorching territories before operational limits breached hence avoiding disasters happening altogether finally improving conditions observed overall performance demonstrated enhancing capabilities best serve citizens effectively safeguard lives meanwhile environment protected thoroughly considered seriously aforementioned aid plans incorporated collaboration various levels helping agencies involved collaboratively managing resources strategically deployed effectively keeping risks minimized aided others during exceptional circumstances faced statewide experienced together openly faced together comprehensively addressing needs described earlier augmenting partnerships established ensuring maximize outcomes desired achieved beneficially bringing relief confidence reinvigorated hope believed positively reflect recovery prospects ahead visible promoted future resilience created together flourish stronger unified front facing challenges posed entirety united effort.
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