Northwest Region Forest Fire Situation Update

Provincial Resources

The firefighting effort in Ontario continues to be supported by Alberta, British Columbia, New Brunswick and Saskatchewan as well as from the U.S. state of Minnesota, for a total complement of 80 personnel. Equipment is also being provided by Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba and Quebec including pumps, hose, hand tools, canvas tents, sprinkler kits and chainsaw kits.

Ontario is operating nine heavy waterbombers, two Twin Otters and 45 helicopters.

New Fires

There were three new fires reported in the Northwest Region in the last 24hr period and one additional fire actioned by the evening of September 3

• three new fires in the Kenora District which have already been extinguished
• one new fire in the Nipigon District that is under control.

Active Fires

There are 27 active fires burning in the Northwest Region;

• 3-Fort Frances
• 9-Nipigon,
• 4-Red Lake,
• 7-Sioux Lookout
• 4-Thunder Bay District

affecting a total of 472,271 hectares of forest. Cloud cover and generous amounts of rainfall has continued to assist successful fire suppression efforts. Cloud cover and more precipitation across the entire region is expected overnight.

Fires of Note

South Bay Complex – Marney Brown Incident Management Team

The official status of Red Lake District Fire Number 84 was updated from not under control to being held on August 30. Infrared scans are being done daily on active fire lines, seeking to locate hot spots for the fire crews to put out. Site rehabilitation and equipment removal from the fire areas that are out is ongoing. Heavy equipment is being used to assist in putting out chipper debris piles that continue to smoulder within the interior. Consolidated fire lines and active fire suppression means that spread on the fire perimeter is not expected

The NOTAM over the South Bay Complex has been rescinded, however the no fly zone buffer of five nautical miles remains in effect over the fire. Aircraft intending to enter the restricted airspace are required to call the South Bay Complex Incident Management Team in advance to acquire permission by calling (613) 693-1143. Advance requests must be received a minimum of 24 hours before a scheduled flight.

Red Fire 84

• lightning-caused
• being held
• 42,765 hectares in size
• 50 kilometres northeast of Ear Falls
• estimated that 80% of fire contained

Sioux Fire 61

• lightning-caused
• under control
• 4,611 hectares in size
• located about 35 kilometres southwest of Cat Lake First Nation
• fire perimeter continues to be monitored for potential activity
• estimated 50% of fire contained

Sioux Lookout 64

• under control
• 21,244 hectares in size
• located about 20 kilometres southwest of the Cat Lake First Nation
• Crews monitoring fire activity at this time
• clear scans have been reported over the past few days
• estimated 65% of fire contained

Red Lake District Fire 124 –Darren McLarty Incident Management Team

Smoking island of Red Lake District; Red Lake Fire 124. Photo courtesy MNRFlames reach several feet into the sky. Red Lake Fire 124. Photo courtesy MNRHelicopter collects water from the lake. Photo courtesy MNR.