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A state of emergency for the purpose of hosting wildfire evacuees has been declared by the City of Kenora.

The state of emergency allows the City of Kenora to obtain funding for the evacuation and make emergency decisions.

The City of Kenora says 75 evacuees arrived at the Kenora Airport Friday afternoon and are being transported to a local evacuation centre.

The City is partnering with a school board to set up a congregate accommodation with sleeping areas and use of the change rooms and washrooms.

Mexico is sending more than 100 firefighters and support staff to help Ontario in its fight against several large forest fires in the Northwest.

The Mexican fire crews will be briefed on fire, safety and COVID-19 protocols before receiving their fire assignments. The firefighters will be required to follow the health and safety guidelines recommended by the Chief Medical Officer of Health, such as physical distancing, frequent hand washing, and daily self-assessments. The Mexican fire crews will also remain in their own cohort.

The Kenora area could receive a chance of some much-needed rain, as the forecast is calling for a 30 per cent chance of showers this afternoon into tonight and possibly Sunday.

According to Environment Canada, it's only a slight “chance” of rain.

“It's a small chance, 30% chance of showers and it's not going to be giving terribly large amounts, maybe even just a trace for a few areas. It is going to be fairly dry through the rest of the weekend. I know the area is in desperate need of some rain,” said Steven Flisfeder Environment Canada Weather Preparedness Meteorologist

The level of Lake of the Woods has once again dropped slightly over the past week.

The level of Lake of the Woods fell by 2 cm (1 in) to 322.66 m (1058.6 ft). The level is expected to decline by another 1 to 3 cm (1 in) over the next week.

Lake of the Woods is currently sitting in the 15th percentile for this time of year and as a result, boaters should exercise caution while navigating the lake.

The average daily inflow is estimated to be 120 m3/s over the next 7 days. 

Lake of the Woods authorized outflow is 150 m3/s.

13 new fires were discovered in the region by late afternoon on Thursday, July 15 with more reports yet to be investigated, according to the Aviation, Forest Fire and Emergency Services.

There are 94 active fires in the region. Thirty-two fires are not under control, seven fires are being held, 25 fires are under control and 30 fires are being observed. Hard work from Initial Attack FireRangers saw a total of 11 fires called out today. 

The forest fire hazard is high to extreme across the district and the Restricted Fire Zone remains in place.

Environment Canada has issued a heat warning for Northwestern Ontario.

A heat event will begin on Friday afternoon and continue through Sunday into Sunday night. Maximum temperatures: 29 to 32 degrees Celsius with humidex values in the low to mid thirties. Minimum temperatures: above 18 Celsius.

A cold front will move southward across the region Sunday, bringing relief from the heat.

The risks are greater for young children, pregnant women, older adults, people with chronic illnesses, and people working or exercising outdoors.

"The probability of an evacuation still remains likely in our near future," said Fred Mota, Red Lake's Mayor, in the Municipality of Red Lake's daily fire update social media post.

The concern remains to be three fires, two of which have merge, near the communities of Red Lake and Madsen.

29 new fires were discovered in the region by late afternoon on Wednesday, July 14 with more reports yet to be investigated, according to the Aviation, Forest Fire and Emergency Services.

There are currently 97 active fires with 39 fires listed as not under control, 10 fires are being held, 20 fires are under control and 28 fires are being observed.

The Aviation, Forest Fire and Emergency Services' report noted 12 fires that were discovered in the 
Kenora sector including;

The Municipality of Red Lake has provided its July 14th fire update.

In a social media post, the Municipality says "Red Lake Fire 077 remains a concern and is currently located approximately 30 km west of Red Lake, and 20 km from Madsen."

Red Lake Fire 077 is listed as "not under control" at 19,251.8 hectares or 192.51 km².

The overpowering smoke smell has covered the skies of most of Northwestern Ontario due to the multiple large forest fires in the region.

The Dryden Regional Health Centre has placed the centre in a Code Grey due to the recent smoke hazard across the region.

“It's a measure we put in place to ensure that our patients and staff were protecting their health as best we can, and making sure that we have the best possible air quality here in our facility,” said Logan Waller Communications and Board Liaison for the Dryden Regional Health Centre