Residents of Thunder Bay are learning that Ontario’s Aviation, Forest Fire and Urgent situation Services reported95 active wildland blazes across the Northwest Regionas of 6:05 p.m.
CDT Thursday, Aug. Two new blazes were confirmed during the day, including one in the Fort Frances district and another north of Highway 17 in the Nipigon district. Of the 95 active wildfires,11 are not under control, five are being held, 10 are under control and 69 are being observed.
Fort Frances 67 is located northeast of McIntyre Lake, about one kilometre west of Marj Lake. The fire is estimated at1.4 hectaresand remainsnot under control. Nipigon 98 is located northeast of Clear Lake, approximately 14 kilometres north of Highway 17. The fire is estimated at0.1 hectaresand remainsnot under control.
Fort Frances 13is estimated at25,279 hectaresand remains not under control.
FireRanger crews from Manitoba, Nova Scotia and Ontario continue suppression work across the Rinker Lake Wildland Fire Complex. Approximately60 firefighters from Mexicoare expected to arrive over the next two days to provide additional support on the fireline. Fire activity across the complex remains low. Crews continue working in areas identified through thermal imaging scans and are making progress clearing hotspots. Firefighters are patrolling for and extinguishing hotspots, consolidating hose lines, installing and maintaining values-protection devices and constructing helipads to improve access and support the movement of gear. Heavy-equipment operators continue building fireguards along portions of the Thunder Bay 36 and Dryden 35 perimeters. Helicopter bucketing operations are also continuing where required. Thunder Bay 36is estimated at301,240 hectaresand remains not under control. Dryden 34is estimated at45,800 hectaresand remains not under control. Dryden 35is estimated at31,478 hectaresand remains not under control. The Implementation Order restricting road and lake access in the Fort Frances 14 fire area was lifted at 9 a.m. Road and lake access in the affected area is now available. Fire crews continue targeting hotspots identified through overnight infrared scanning. Three crews are also demobilizing hose lines and recycling firefighting gear at locations across the Atikokan Cluster. Fire behaviour has remained relatively low in recent days, although smoke and some open flame continue to be observed in burned areas. Fort Frances 13is estimated at25,279 hectaresand remains not under control. Fort Frances 14is estimated at51,768 hectaresand remains not under control. Fort Frances 15is estimated at42,273 hectaresand remains not under control. Evacuation orders, evacuation alerts and implementation orders remain part of the forest fire response across Northwestern Ontario. Residents in affected communities should continue following instructions from their Chief and council, municipal crisis spokespersons and provincial authorities. Conditions can change quickly depending on fire behaviour, weather, road access and smoke. A Notice to Aviators remains in effect in the area of the northwestern Ontario hub 36. The NOTAM is in addition to standard blaze airspace restrictions under Section 601.15 of the Canadian Aviation Regulations. Airspace around active forest blazes is restricted to aircraft involved in suppression operations withinfive nautical miles of the fire and up to 3,000 feet above ground level. Pilots should check current NOTAM information through NAV Canada before flying. A separate NOTAM remains in effect around Fort Frances 14, northeast of Byers Lake. The same federal forest fire airspace restrictions apply. Unauthorized aircraft can interfere with water bombers, helicopters and other suppression aircraft and can create serious safety risks for crews. The Restricted Fire Zone covering the Northwest Region and a small portion of the Northeast Region remains in effect. The restriction was introduced July 15 because of high to extreme fire hazard, increased forest fire activity and the need to reduce the number of preventable human-caused wildfires. Residents, campers, tourism operators and backcountry travellers should continue checking the rules before using outdoor blazes or flame-producing gear. Recent rain and lower fire behaviour in some areas do not automatically mean restrictions have been lifted. Ontario calculates forest fire danger ratings using information from more than 130 weather stations across the province’s fire region. Those ratings can change through the day as temperature, humidity, wind and rainfall conditions change. For Northwestern Ontario, that means conditions can differ significantly between the Kenora, Fort Frances, Dryden, Sioux Lookout, Thunder Bay and Nipigon districts. To report a wildland fire north of the French and Mattawa rivers, call310-FIRE, or 310-3473. Wildfires south of the French or Mattawa rivers should be reported by calling911. Residents should continue monitoring Ontario blaze information, evacuation notices and neighborhood crisis updates as conditions evolve..
Community members are encouraged to stay informed and share this information with friends and family. Following trusted local news sources helps ensure everyone stays up to date with events and announcements affecting Thunder Bay and Northwestern Ontario.
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📍 Source: NetNewsLedger · By: NetNewsLedger Staff · 🗓️ August 14, 2026 · 🏠 ThunderBay.Online
