24 new fires were discovered in the region by late afternoon on Wednesday, July 21, according to the Aviation, Forest Fire and Emergency Services.
These fires are located in the following districts: Red Lake (2); Sioux Lookout (8); Dryden (4); Nipigon (4); Kenora (1); Thunder Bay (3) and Fort Frances (2).
There are currently 170 active fires in the region. 83 fires are not under control, 17 fires are being held, 50 are being observed and 20 fires are under control.
The wildland fire hazard remains high to extreme in the eastern portion of the region as well as areas of Red Lake, Dryden and Sioux Lookout districts. A low to moderate hazard exists in the southwest portion of the region and areas of the far north.
Fires of Note
Red Lake 65 – of concern to Poplar Hill First Nation
- Fire is sized at 16,651 hectares and is 7km northwest of the community.
- Fire behavior has been limited by recent rainfall and the fire has not advanced significantly toward the community.
- Drier, warmer conditions are expected to return later this week bringing higher fire behavior.
- Smoke continues to hamper aerial operations though the fire’s eastern edge continues to be monitored.
- Three FireRanger crews are assigned to protect the community and critical infrastructure.
- An aerial ignition team will work to bring the fire to natural boundaries. When safe to do so ground crews will be added with support from bucketing helicopters.
- 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 51,185 hectares and is located approximately 24 kilometres west of the community.
- Recent rainfall has limited fire behavior and the fire has not advanced significantly towards the community.
- Drier, warmer conditions are expected to return later this week bringing higher fire behavior.
- Three crews are focused on the protection of the community and critical infrastructure.
- An ignition team is looking for opportunities to bring the fire to natural boundaries.
- The Ministry of the Solicitor General has coordinated an evacuation of the community.
Sioux Lookout 60 - of concern to Cat lake First Nation
- The fire has been remapped at 850 hectares and located 8 kilometres west of the community.
- The fire displayed limited activity on July 20
- Community protection efforts are ongoing.
Red Lake 77 – Fire of concern to Red Lake
- Fire is not under control at 23,404 hectares.
- Red Lake 77 is approximately 28 kilometres west/northwest of Madsen and is located approximately 33 kilometres west of Red Lake. The fire has not moved significantly closer to the community.
- A total of 30 pieces of heavy equipment and their operators have been engaged in building approximately 40 kilometres of fire guard in strategic areas.
- The Red Lake sector recorded 26 new fire starts, Monday, with a large concentration of them to the east of the community. Crews have been working hard to respond to extinguish these new fire starts.
- Crews are working alongside municipal firefighters to protect the community and critical infrastructure.
Kenora 51
- Fire is not under control and remapped at 136,361 hectares.
- Fire has been active over the past several days producing smoke at the local level.
- Crews are working to identify ignition opportunities to bring the fire to natural boundaries.
- An Incident Management Team is established on the fire