August 8: Two fires reported

Two new fires were discovered in the region by the early evening of Sunday, August 8, according to the Aviation, Forest Fire and Emergency Services.

There are 117 active fires in the northwest region. 17 fires are not under control, 1 fire is being held, 12 fires are under control and 87 fires are being monitored.

The forest fire hazard in the region is low to moderate with pockets of high risk in the Kenora and Fort Frances area.

The two new fires are:

• Kenora 137 is not under control at 0.2 hectares and is located on Big Island on Lake of the Woods, approximately 66 kilometres southwest of Kenora.
• Dryden 117 is not under control at 0.1 hectares and is located near Fawcett Lake, approximately 40 kilometres north of Dryden.

Fires of Note 

Kenora 51

• Fire is not under control and is 198,884 hectares.
• The southeast point of Kenora 51 remains 20 km north of Wabaseemoong and on the northern side of Umfreville Lake.
• The western side of Kenora 51 is approximately 4km east of Davidson Lake. Winds are directing the fire to the north.
• Forecast weather conditions indicate intensifying fire activity with intermittent crowning, but south easterly winds should support firefighters.
• Helicopters with buckets and water bombing airplanes are suppressing the fire around Davidson Lake near the Manitoba border.
• Firefighters deployed hose lines to directly attack the fire edge at strategic pinch points and mop up around properties.  
• Bulldozers are being used to construct fire guard.
• Fire Rangers are working to protect community values and critical infrastructure around the fire area.
• An Incident Management Team is established on the fire.

Red Lake 65    

• The fire is 19,796 hectares and located 6 kilometres west of Poplar Hill First Nation.   
• Crews continue laying and working hose lines on strategic areas of the fires. Heli-buckets continue to assist where needed. 
• Fire behaviour is smouldering with some visible smoke
• Crews onsite to monitor the values protection equipment, and to look for opportunities to action any hot spots.
    

Red Lake 51    

• The fire is 52,106 hectares and located approximately 24 kilometres west of Deer Lake First Nation.   
• Priorities are focused on protection of Deer Lake First Nation.   
• Crews are working hose lines along the east side of the fire.   
• Fire behaviour is smouldering with some visible smoke.
• An Incident Management Team has been assigned to oversee this fire.   

Red Lake 77    

• The fire is not under control and has been remapped to 27,899 ha, approximately 33 km west of Red Lake.  
• Fire behaviour is smouldering with some open flame observed.
• Crews continue to establish hose lines working on the north east flank of the fire while Heli-buckets assisted with hot spots.
• Fireguard continues to be built east of the fire.