August 2: Six fires discovered

Six new fires were discovered in the region by the early evening of Monday, August 2, according to the Aviation, Forest Fire and Emergency Services.

There are 109 active fires in the northwest region. 18 fires are not under control, 4 fires are being held, 14 fires are under control and 73 fires are being monitored.

The forest fire hazard is high across most of the region with an area of low to moderate hazard in the southern portions of Nipigon and Thunder Bay districts.

The new fires are;

• Dryden 109 is under control at 0.1 hectares and is located near Little Amik Lake, approximately 4 kilometres northeast of Ignace.
• Kenora 135 is under control at 0.3 hectares and is located near Kakagi Lake, approximately 17 kilometres northeast of Nestor Falls.
• Fort Frances 115 is not under control at 0.1 hectares and is located near Cryderman Lake, approximately 48 kilometres northeast of Fort Frances.
• Red 213 is not under control at 0.1 hectares and is located near Setting Net Lake, approximately 34 kilometres southwest of Sandy Lake First Nation
• Dryden 110 is not under control at 0.2 hectares and is located near Rock Lake, approximately 31 kilometres southeast of Dryden.
• Fort Frances 116 is not under control at 8 hectares and is located near Fog Lake, approximately 71 kilometres north of Fort Frances.

Fires of Note 

Kenora 51 - of concern to Wabaseemoong

• Fire is not under control and is 188,236 hectares.  
• Continues to burn north of Umfreville Lake and has not been spotted south of Umfreville Lake.
• Kenora 51 is approximately 20 kilometres north of Wabaseemoong Independent Nation.
• Smoke is affecting the wider Kenora area.
• Helicopters with buckets and water bombing airplanes are being used to slow the fire.  
• Ignition crews are bringing the fire to natural boundaries
• Bulldozer lines are being used to improve access.
• Crews working to protect community values and critical infrastructure.  
• An Incident Management Team is established on the fire.

Red Lake 65 – of concern to Poplar Hill First Nation    

• The fire is 19,796 hectares and located 6 kilometres west of the community.   
• Crews are making good progress on east side of the spot fire. 
• 7 crews in total are committed.
• Fire behaviour is quiet as a result rain received on July 30 and higher relative humidity.
• Crews onsite to monitor the values protection equipment, and to look for opportunities to action any hot spots.
    

Red Lake 51 – of concern to Deer Lake First Nation    

• The fire is 52,106 hectares and located approximately 24 kilometres west of the community.   
• Priorities are focused on protection of Deer Lake.   
• Crews are working hose lines along the east side of the fire.   
• The Community Values Protection Team has completed work on the community and critical infrastructure and is monitoring and maintaining the equipment.   
• An Incident Management Team has been assigned to oversee this fire.   
• Community evacuation complete, only essential workers remain.
    

Sioux Lookout 60 - of concern to Cat Lake First Nation  

• The fire is 1,487 hectares and located 8 kilometres west of the community.
• The fire is being held   
• The fire displayed limited activity in recent days due to weather conditions.  
• Community protection efforts are ongoing.  
• Crews are assigned to the fire. Crews are establishing hoselines on the fire.  
• An Incident Management Team is managing the fire. 
    

Red Lake 77 – Fire of concern to Red Lake    

• The fire is not under control at 30,519 ha, approximately 33 km west of Red Lake.  
• Crews have been mobilized to work a portion of the northeast corner.  
• Fireguard continues to be built east of the fire, heavy equipment is making good progress.   
• Fire behaviour increased on the west side of RED 77 as it did not receive as much rain on Friday and showed open flame and single tree torching.