News from Thunder Bay: There are 139 active wildfires burning in northwestern Ontario, according to the latest update from Ontario Forest Fires, six fewer than reported earlier on Wednesday afternoon.
The largest wildfire in the region, known as Thunder Bay 36, remains out of control and spans more than 318,000 hectares. The Ministry of Natural Resources’ says theThunder Bay – Ignace Districthas invoked an Implementation Orderfor areas nearDryden 36, for the purposes of public safety and fire suppression. An implementation order allows the ministry to issue formal,legally bindingorders that restrict activities and manage access inside critical incident boundaries.
"Minimal fire behaviour has been observed in recent days but even when fire behaviour looks minimal, large wildland fires may remain classified as NUC [not under control] for longer because it takes time to ensure the entire perimeter is contained," Ontario Forest Fires remarked on Thursday. "We advise the public to stay clear of all active fires in their area. Doing so will interfere with ongoing suppression efforts and could put FireRangers and aircraft at risk." The Pan Canadian Aerial Asset Program managed by the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre have sent two Q400 airtankers and a birddog to assist in the region. However, there are numerous pockets of high hazard throughout the region, including near the city, Fort Frances, Kenora, Ignace, Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug First Nation and Marten Falls First Nation.
Of these, two are not under control, three are being held, two are under control and the rest are being observed, mostly in the far north portion of the Cochrane sector.
According to the province'sinteractive highway map, the closure of Highway 527 at Kiashke Zaaging Anishinaabek — Gull Bay First Nation — has been extended to the Highway 811 junction. Highway 811 is also closed due to ongoing wildfire activity, with the exception of community traffic evacuating the area. The First Nation remains under a mandatory evacuation order after lightning brought the total number of wildfires surrounding the region to six, according to a release issued by the area early Tuesday morning. In an update issued Monday evening, the Ontario Provincial Officers (OPP) North West Region remarked: "The OPP is currently assisting the MNR with an evacuation order of Gull Bay First Nation, which was previously under a self-evacuation. Individuals living in areas under mandatory evacuation orders have been asked to leave their residence immediately and seek safety away from active fires." The officers noted other communities are being monitored and residents are pressed to stay informed and be prepared to act quickly should further evacuation orders or advisories be issued. The OPP strongly called on people for their safety and the safety of urgent situation responders to: As of Thursday afternoon, there were 40 active wildfires in the northeast region. Of these, two are not under control, three are being held, two are under control and the rest are being observed, mostly in the far north portion of the Cochrane sector. Forest fire danger ratings are mostly low to moderate across the northeast, with a pocket of high hazard in the Greater Sudbury area. Wawa 17 — roughly 15-kilometres northeast of Pic Mobert and east of White Lake — is ‘being held’ at 37.2 hectares, with the aid of FireRangers and recent precipitation. There are now more than 2,800 wildfire evacuees from more than a dozen communities across the province, according to an update issued by Ontario's Minister of Urgent response Preparedness and Response, Jill Dunlop,late Wednesday afternoon. There have been four Ontario Corps partners and 17 Ontario Corps volunteers deployed to assist. As well, the province says the following equipment/supplies have been provided: As part of these efforts, Feed Ontario and the Ontario Federation of Indigenous Friendship Centres are shipping and distributing food to evacuees. GlobalMedic has also delivered essential supplies to the evacuation reception centre at the Fort William Gardens Arena in Thunder Bay. The Community of Thunder Bay is transitioning from active critical incident co-ordination to enhanced monitoring, "as wildfire conditions across northwestern Ontario remain serious but stable. and no new evacuations are anticipated at this time, " the community saidin an update late Wednesday afternoon. That stated, the municipality reminds residents that wildfires remain active across the region and several communities remain under evacuation orders or alerts. How to reduce wildfire risk and the likelihood of property damage in Thunder Bay, Ont. Residents are encouraged to take steps to reduce wildfire risk around their homes and properties by following FireSmart principles, including: More information about FireSmart practices is available atwww.firesmartcanada.ca. It is a priority for CBC to create products that are accessible to all in Canada including people with visual, hearing, motor and cognitive challenges. Closed Captioning and Described Video is available for many CBC shows offered onCBC Gem..
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📍 Source: CBC News Thunder Bay · By: CBC News Staff · 🗓️ July 24, 2026 · 🏠 ThunderBay.Online
