July 28: Five fires discovered

Five new fires were discovered in the region by the evening of Wednesday, July 28, according to the Aviation, Forest Fire and Emergency Services.

There are 142 active fires in the northwest region. 37 fires are not under control, 12 fires are being held, 29 fires are under control and 64 fires are being monitored.

The forest fire hazard is moderate to high across most of the region with a few low areas following limited, scattered rain. Sioux Lookout and Dryden districts have pockets of extreme hazard.

The new fires discovered are;

• Red Lake 202 has been declared out at 0.1 hectares and was located near Fly Lake, approximately 77 kilometres east of Red Lake
• Red Lake 203 has been declared out at 0.1 hectares and was located near Fly Lake, approximately 77 kilometres east of Red Lake
• Red Lake 204 is not under control at 0.1 hectares and is located near Fredart Lake, 70 kilometres east of Red Lake.
• Red Lake 205 is being held at 6 hectares and is located near St. Roy Lake, approximately 107 kilometres east of Red Lake.
• Fort Frances 96 is being held at 0.1 hectares and is located near Grassy Lake, approximately 51 kilometres east of Fort Frances.

Fires of Note 

Red Lake 65 – of concern to Poplar Hill First Nation  

• Fire has been remapped to 18,330 hectares and is 6 km northwest of the community. 
• The eastern edge of the fire continues to be monitored. 
• Crews are actioning a small section of the northeast side of the fire and are supported by a bucketing helicopter.
• There was an Increase to fire behaviour with warmer, drier weather.
• Four crews are assigned to protect the community and critical infrastructure as well as on the fireline. 
• Utilize bucketing helicopters on the fire’s edge as required
• 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 51,926 hectares and is located approximately 24 kilometres west of the community.
• Light drizzle the evening of July 25 and increased cloud cover for July 26 assisted in keeping fire behaviour low yesterday, but winds increased local smoke in the area.
• Three 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. 

Sioux Lookout 60 - of concern to Cat lake First Nation 

• The fire is 1487 hectares and located 8 kilometres west of the community. 
• The fire displayed limited activity in recent days due to weather conditions 
• Community protection efforts are ongoing.
• 6 crews are assigned to the fire. More crews will be arriving soon. Crews are establishing hoselines on the fire and the fire received 5mm of rain Friday night.
• An Incident Management Team from Nova Scotia is managing the fire. 

Red Lake 77 – Fire of concern to Red Lake  

• Fire is not under control and has been remapped to 27,172 hectares. 
• Red Lake 77 is approximately 28 kilometres west/northwest of Madsen and is located approximately 33 kilometres west of Red Lake.
• Fire behaviour on the east side of the fire was smouldering with little open flame.
• 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. 
• Fireguard continues to be built east of the fire, heavy equipment is making good progress.
• Bucketing helicopters are working along the fire’s edge to reduce fire behaviour.
• Crews are working alongside municipal firefighters to protect the community and critical infrastructure.  

Kenora 51  

• Fire is not under control and is 156,394 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. 
• Use bucketing helicopters and air attack as required
• Use crews with hoselines in strategic spots to limit the fire’s spread.
• An Incident Management Team is established on the fire