Kenora Fire 51, burning northwest of Kenora, has consumed more than 5,300 hectares and has grown in size to 197,549 hectares since Tuesday evening and is still burning out of control.
The fire is now 1,975.49 km² or roughly 4.25 times bigger than the City of Winnipeg.
The fire remains on the north side of Umfreville Lake, approximately 20 kilometres north of Wabaseemoong Independent Nation.
As a precaution, Wabaseemoong began to evacuate vulnerable populations and those with underlying health conditions on Wednesday.
Nine new fires were discovered in the region by the early evening of Wednesday, August 4, according to the Aviation, Forest Fire and Emergency Services.
There are 118 active fires in the northwest region. 23 fires are not under control, 7 fires are being held, 11 fires are under control and 77 fires ara being monitored.
The forest fire hazard is mainly high to extreme across the region with moderate areas in Thunder Bay, Red Lake, Nipigon, and Sioux Lookout districts.
The new fires discovered are:
- Dryden 111 is being held at 0.5 hectares and is located near Widow Lake, approximately 41 kilometres northwest of Ignace.
- Dryden 112 is not under control at 0.6 hectares and is located near Kukukus Lake, approximately 46 kilometres north of Ignace.
- Sioux Lookout 130 is being observed at 0.3 hectares and is located approximately 33 kilometres northeast of Muskrat Dam First Nation.
- Fort Frances 118 is under control at 0.1 hectares and is located near Missus Lake, approximately 62 kilometres northeast of Fort Frances.
- Fort Frances 119 is not under control at 2.5 hectares and is located near Entwine Lake, approximately 87 kilometres northeast of Fort Frances.
- Dryden 113 is not under control at 0.1 hectares and is located on an island on Kukukus Lake, approximately 43 kilometres north of Ignace.
- Sioux Lookout 131 is not under control at 2 hectares and is located near Mask Lake, approximately 57 kilometres northeast of Sioux Lookout.
- Nipigon 72 is not under control at 35 hectares and is located near Straight Lake, approximately 49 kilometres northeast of Kasabonika Lake First Nation.
- Nipigon 73 is not under control at 25 hectares and is located approximately 43 kilometres north of Webequie First Nation.
Fires of Note
Kenora 51 - of concern to Wabaseemoong
- Fire is not under control and is 197,549 hectares.
- Continues to burn north of Umfreville Lake and has not spotted south of Umfreville Lake.
- Kenora 51 is approximately 20 kilometres north of Wabaseemoong Independent Nation.
- Smoke is affecting the wider Kenora area.
- Water bombing airplanes are being used on the western side of the fire and helicopters with buckets are attacking hot spots elsewhere.
- Ignition crews are bringing the fire to natural boundaries
- Bulldozer lines are being used to improve access.
- Fire Rangers working to protect community values and critical infrastructure around the fire area.
- Efforts are being supported by fire personnel from Alberta, Mexico and Australia
- 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 remains quiet with smoldering and some visible smoke
- 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.
- Fire behaviour was smoldering some visible smoke and small pockets of interior flaring.
- 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. More crews will be arriving soon. 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 and has been remapped to 27,899 ha, approximately 33 km west of Red Lake.
- Crews continue to establish hose lines working on the north east edge of the fire while Heli-buckets assisted with hot spots.
- 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 and showed open flame and single tree torching. Areas in the unburned interior showed open flame and torching.