August 6: Three new fires discovered, Kenora 51 fire grows to 197,549 hectares

Three new fires were discovered last afternoon on August 6, 2021, according to the Aviation, Forest Fire, and Emergency Services.

The newly discovered fires are:

• Dryden 116 is located near Amik Lake, approximately 50 kilometres north/northwest of Ignace. The 0.1 hectare fire is under control. 
• Fort Frances 121 is located near the Seine River and Premier Lake Road, approximately 30 kilometres northeast of Atikokan. The 0.4 hectare fire is not under control. 
• Fort Frances 122 is located near Elk Lake amongst a cluster of Quetico Provincial Park fires. The 0.2 hectare fire is being observed.

At the time of this update there were 124 active fires in the northwest region. A total of 17 fires are not under control, five fires are being held, 17 fires are under control and 85 fires are being observed. Two fire were called out today.
 

Fires Dryden 71 (730 hectares) and Dryden 76 (330 hectares), which have required air attack support over the past several days, received approximately 20-30mm of rainfall overnight. Seven out of the 10 fires in a cluster north of Ignace are now either under control or extinguished.

Fires of Note:
Kenora 51 

• The fire is sized at 197,549 hectares and remains 20 km north of Wabaseemong community on the northern side of Umfreville Lake.  
• A trace of rain fell on the southern part of the fire overnight with more precipitation in the north. 
• Firefighters are using lower temperatures and easterly winds to secure the fire’s edge at strategic locations. 
• Helicopters are bucketing hot spots and water bombing aircraft are available to suppress any flare up. 
• Bulldozers are continuing to construct an access road and fire guard on the eastern side of Wabaseemoong. Community protection efforts continue. 

Red Lake 51 

• The fire is being observed/modified response - 52,106 ha – 24 km west of Deer Lake First Nation. 
• Priorities are focused on protection of Deer Lake First Nation.  
• Crews continue laying and working hose lines on strategic areas of the fires. Heli-buckets continue to assist where needed.  

Red Lake 65 

• The fire is not under control - 19,796 ha – 6 km west of Poplar Hill First Nation. 
• Priorities are focused on protection of Poplar Hill and consolidating hoselines on the eastern flank.
• Crews continue laying and working hose lines on strategic areas of the fires. Heli-buckets continue to assist where needed.  

Red Lake 77 

• The fire is not under control – 27,899 ha – 33 km west of Red Lake  
• Fireguard continues to be built east of the fire. 
• Crews continue laying and working hose lines on strategic areas of the fires. Heli-buckets continue to assist where needed.  
• On August 5, smoke cleared out of the south allowing for more crew movements onto fires, while crew movements in the north were delayed until the afternoon due to low visibility weather.