Region Archives: Canada East

High temperatures associated with below-average amounts of precipitation have led to the continuation of many large wildland forest fires across Northwestern Ontario. As of an update yesterday 140 active forest fires are burning in the Northwest Region of the province. In Ontario this year there have been a total of 902 fires to date and a total of 520,134 hectares that have been affected by forest fires which is double the 10-year-average. The Kenora area has only seen 63 millimetres of rain which is well below the monthly average of 103.4 millimetres. …The many large forest fires across the region have forced over 3,000 people through complete evacuations of the Poplar Hill and Deer Lake First Nation communities, and the evacuation of vulnerable residents of Pikangikum, North Spirit Lake, and Cat Lake First Nation communities. 

Ten new fires were discovered in the northwest region by the early evening of July 24, 2021, according to Aviation, Forest Fire, and Emergency Services.  At the time of this update, there were 137 active fires in the northwest region. 44 fires were not under control, 8 fires were being held, 26 fires were under control and 59 fires were being monitored.  The wildland fire hazard is high to extreme in the western portions of the region as well as an area of far north Nipigon district and low to moderate in the eastern portions of the region.

Smoke from forest fires in northwestern Ontario and eastern Manitoba is still affecting the air quality in Timmins and area. A special air quality statement remains in effect for Timmins, Cochrane and Iroquois Falls. It is due to the “high levels of air pollution” from ongoing forest fires. “Smoke plumes from active fires in northwestern Ontario and eastern Manitoba will affect the area resulting in deteriorated air quality across much of northern Ontario,” reads the Environment Canada advisory. “Conditions are expected to improve tonight or Tuesday morning as winds shift to a more northerly direction with the passage of a cold front.” As of yesterday afternoon, there were 101 active fires in northwestern Ontario.

A water bomber trying to put out a forest fire in eastern Manitoba had to turn back after someone flew a drone in its way, according to the province. It happened on Saturday as the plane was en route to douse the flames of a fire in Whiteshell Provincial Park near the Ontario border. The water bomber was flying over the south shore of West Hawk Lake when a drone got in the way of its flight path. The water bomber had to turn back, leaving the firefighters on the ground in jeopardy. …Most of Manitoba remains under a fire ban including Winnipeg. …additional restrictions will be in place for an area near the Ontario border. A full travel ban will kick in for the Wildfire Service’s Area 4… The province says there will be no access to cottages, and permanent residents must be ready to leave on an hour’s notice.

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 forest fire hazard remains high to extreme across the region as the hot, dry conditions continue. As of July 15, 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.

THUNDER BAY – Twenty-nine new forest fires were discovered in the Northwest Region by late afternoon on Wednesday. There are currently 97 fires active in the region. Four of the new fires were found in the Thunder Bay sector, according to a release issued by Aviation, Forest Fire and Emergency Services. Of those fires, Thunder Bay 73, at 0.1 hectares and located near Pearl, is listed as not under control. A dozen of the new fires were found in the Kenora sector, including a cluster of four 37 kilometres west of Perrault Falls. Three more are located north of Kakagi Lake, some 84 kilometres southeast of Kenora. …As a result of all the fire activity, a restricted fire zone has been put in place across Northwestern Ontario.

Nova Scotia has answered the call to help fight wildfires in Ontario, Manitoba and British Columbia. Twenty-three Department of Lands and Forestry wildland firefighters and one agency representative will fight alongside other crews to gain control of forest fires that are currently burning out of control. They will leave Halifax on Friday, July 16, and join other Atlantic Canadian firefighters to form two 17-person crews headed to Thunder Bay, Ont., and Winnipeg, Man. Nova Scotia also sent one fire investigator to British Columbia last week. Current fire conditions in Nova Scotia allow for resources to be shared. The Department of Lands and Forestry will ensure proper firefighting resources are maintained within the province.

High temperatures, little precipitation, and many thunderstorms have caused many multiple large forest fires across Northwestern Ontario. The extreme fire hazard and increased forest fire activity, have led the ministry to issue an Emergency Area Order across Northwestern Ontario. This order is in effect to allow the ministry to take special measures to ensure the safety of people and the protection of critical property. The Restricted Fire Zone is still in effect for the Northwest and the ministry asks residents to avoid having outdoor fires, which includes burning of grass, debris, and campfires, even when using an outdoor fire grate, fireplace, or fire pit. These restrictions are in place to reduce the number of preventable human-caused fires and lower the risk of wildfires impacting the public. Portable gas stoves may still be used BUT must be handled with extreme care. …Eighteen new fires were confirmed in the northwest region by late afternoon yesterday.

Ontario has issued an emergency order for the province’s northwest to allow it to better respond to growing wildfires in the region. The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry says the order means the province can close roads and restrict access to certain areas as needed to fight the fires. It says high temperatures, dry conditions and frequent thunderstorms are contributing to multiple large forest fires in the region. The government says there are currently over 70 forest fires burning across northwestern Ontario. …Natural Resources and Forestry Minister Greg Rickford says the government is doing everything it can to protect communities in the area. “Public safety is our first priority, and we will continue to provide all support necessary to protect the health and well-being of those impacted by wildfires,” he said.

DRYDEN — Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry firefighters are battling 69 active fires in Northwestern Ontario, including 19 that are not under control.  The total includes nine new fires discovered by late afternoon on Monday.  Among the new outbreaks, the largest was a 35-hectare blaze near Sharpstone Lake, about 140 km northwest of Red Lake.  An MNRF report highlighted the status of several fires of note.  These include Red Lake # 65, which has burned over 4,000 hectares about 16 km southwest of Poplar Hill First Nation.  The ministry said the fire is exhibiting extreme fire behaviour.  …Red Lake # 51, 27 km west of Deer Lake First Nation, is being observed at 36,000 hectares.  …Residents of Deer Lake have been taken to Thunder Bay, and a number of residents of Pikangikum have also reportedly left their community as a precaution.

Some residents of Deer Lake First Nation are due to arrive in Thunder Bay, Ont., this afternoon after they were forced from their homes due to forest fires. …More than 60 forest fires were burning in northwestern Ontario on Monday. The provincial Aviation, Forest Fire and Emergency Services (AFFES) agency said the Red Lake 51 fire is burning about 27 kilometres west of Deer Lake. it’s being observed, and was listed at more than 27,000 hectares in size. The city is also hosting evacuees from Poplar Hill First Nation, which is also being evacuated. …Thunder Bay Mayor Bill Mauro said the city is able to accommodate the 400 evacuees from the two communities. “My questions are always to the chief of police, the chief of the paramedics and the chief of fire, ensuring that we have the capacity to manage the situation,” Mauro said. “All three told me that they do.”

Greg Rickford

Northwestern Ontario has been faced with the task of fighting over 60 forest fires across the region. Thunder and lightning storms recently have caused more fires to start. The fires are the result of a hot and dry summer as of late and little precipitation in the area. Most recently the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry has extended the Restricted Fire Zone that was issued on June 30, 2021, to Thunder Bay and portions of the Nipigon and Wawa districts. …The Red Lake 65 fire southwest of the Poplar Hill First Nation has forced members to evacuated. The fire is labeled as not under control at 4,012 hectares and crews are setting up sprinklers on structures in the vicinity of the fire. The City of Thunder Bay will be hosting 800 community members from the First Nation. Another notable forest fire in the area is the 27, 549 hectares Red Lake 51 fire.

Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) is calling on the province to declare a state of emergency to enable it to fully support northern Ontario Indigenous communities threatened by forest fires. In a media release issued Monday night, NAN Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler said “if fire conditions and behaviour continue on current course the potential for full scale evacuations of several communities is a reality. This is quickly becoming a NAN-wide emergency and requires an immediate, coordinated response.” Evacuations of the communities of Deer Lake and Poplar Hill have been taking place in recent days, with members being hosted in other Ontario communities, including Thunder Bay. …NAN said a provincial emergency declaration would allow full support for Indigenous community evacuations, including the use of aircraft, watercraft, and temporary accommodation in other communities.