July 18: Five fires reported

Five new fires were discovered in the region by late afternoon on Sunday, July 18, according to the Aviation, Forest Fire and Emergency Services.

There were 101 active fires in the northwest region. Thirty fires were not under control, eight fires were being held, 20 fires were under control and 43 fires were being observed. Seven fires were called out on Sunday

The forest fire hazard is high to extreme across the district and the Restricted Fire Zone remains in place.

The new fires discovered are;

• Sioux Lookout 64 (6.0 hectares) and Sioux Lookout 65 (2.0 hectares) are located approximately 9 kilometres and 12 kilometres (respectively) north of Mishkeegogamang First Nation. Both fires are not under control. 
• Red Lake 135 is located south of Pringle Lake in an area close to active fire Red Lake 68, approximately 35 kilometres northeast of Red Lake. 
• Red Lake 136 (42 hectares) and Red Lake 137 (23 hectares) are located near Malette River, approximately 38 kilometres west of Pikangikum First Nation. Both fires are not under control. 
• Red Lake 138 is located west of Oooowee Sahkaheekahn Lake, approximately 28 kilometres east of Poplar Hill First Nation. The 1.0 hectare fire is not under control.

Fires of Note

• Red Lake 65 – of concern to Poplar Hill First Nation 
  • Fire is sized at 16,065 hectares and is now 7km northwest of the community. 
  • Fire behaviour is too aggressive to safely put out ground crews. Fire officials are looking for opportunities to bring the fire to natural boundaries. 
  • Three FireRanger crews assigned to protect the community and critical infrastructure. 
  • Smoke and visibility pose challenges for using firefighting aircraft in the area. 
  • The Ministry of the Solicitor General has coordinated an evacuation of the community.  
• Red Lake 51 – of concern to Deer Lake First Nation 
  • Fire size is sized at 48,760 hectares and is located approximately 24 kilometres west of the community. 
  • Fire behaviour is too aggressive to safely put out ground crews. The safety of our firefighters is a top priority. Fire officials are looking for opportunities to bring the eastern edge of the fire closest to the community fire to natural boundaries. 
  • Crews are focused on the protection of the community and critical infrastructure. 
  • The Ministry of the Solicitor General has coordinated an evacuation of the community. 
• Red Lake 77 – Fire of concern to Red Lake 
  • Fire is not under control at 18,114 hectares. 
  • At its nearest point Red Lake 77 is approximately 28 kilometres west/northwest of Madsen and is located approximately 33 kilometres west of Red Lake. 
  • Three of four new fire starts to the south of the community have been extinguished or brought under control. One remaining new fire, Red Lake 124 (40 hectares), remains not under control, approximately 11 kilometres south of Madsen. 
  • Crews are working alongside municipal firefighters to protect the community and critical infrastructure.  
• Kenora 51 
  • Recently remapped at 114,323 hectares, not under control. 
  • Fire has been active over the past several days producing smoke at the local level  
  • Crews are establishing hoselines on sections of the fire  
  • 13 crews and 12 helicopters are assigned to this fire.  
  • An Incident Management Team is established on the fire.