In northwestern Ontario, the latest report from Ontario’s Aviation, Forest Fire and Emergency Services (AFFES) indicates 87 active wildfires. Among these, 10 are uncontrolled, six are contained, eight are under control, and the remainder are being monitored. Additionally, two new fires were reported in the northwest region on Friday evening.
Nipigon 99 (NIP099) is situated east of Pays Plat, approximately 3 kilometers northeast of Highway 17 and 5.5 kilometers north of Rossport. This fire covers 0.1 hectares and remains uncontrolled. Nipigon 100 (NIP100) is located around 10.5 kilometers north of Highway 17 in Pays Plat and 2 kilometers northeast of West Fox Lake, covering 0.1 hectares and also not under control.
The forest fire risk is mainly low to moderate across northwestern Ontario, but there are considerable areas of high risk in the southwestern parts, notably in the Thunder Bay and Kenora districts.
Several notable fires in the region include The Rinker Complex, consisting of Thunder Bay 36, Dryden 34, and Dryden 35, with a collective size of over 376,000 hectares and all three fires still uncontrolled. In the Atikokan Cluster, Fort Frances 13, 14, and 15 have varying statuses with sizes ranging from 25,279 to 51,768 hectares.
As of Friday, approximately 829 individuals are displaced due to the wildfires in Ontario. Over 2,000 evacuees from northwestern Ontario have been able to return home. The ministry of Emergency Preparedness and Response has conducted numerous coordination calls with various stakeholders.
Evacuation alerts are active for Fort Frances 39 and Minnesota’s “Thumb Fire,” urging readiness to evacuate on short notice for residents near these areas. Evacuation orders or alerts remain in place for various other locations due to the ongoing fire threats.
Several highways are closed due to wildfire activity, and residents are advised to stay away from affected areas, follow evacuation orders, and monitor official sources for updates. Mail delivery has been suspended in certain communities impacted by the fires.
In northeastern Ontario, three new fires have been confirmed, with a total of 44 active wildfires in the region. The ministry is enhancing firefighting efforts by investing in additional resources and personnel, aiming to improve planning and response strategies.
Efforts are ongoing to support affected communities, including the provision of essential supplies and services to evacuees. Various organizations are collaborating to provide aid and assistance to those impacted by the wildfires.