Firefighters are working to contain eight active wildfires in northwestern Ontario.
Two are under control, one is being held, and five are not under control, according to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF).
Officials confirmed nine new wildfires on Monday, with four now extinguished.
Crews are actively working to contain the most recent fires:
- Fort Frances fire #4, near Crystal Lake, east of Highway 11 and Highway 623, continues to burn at 180 hectares and is not under control. Waterbombers are assisting suppression efforts. Ontario Provincial Police are alternating traffic along Highway 11 near the fire.
- Kenora fire #17, near Minaki, is five hectares and is being held.
- Kenora fire #20, at Longpine Lake east of Ingolf, remains 100 hectares and is not under control. A precautionary evacuation of residents in Ingolf is underway.
- Thunder Bay fire #6, southeast of Garden Lake, is 20 hectares and remains out of control.
Fire crews continue to battle major wildfires that have been burning for several days:
- Kenora fire #14, near Whitedog, is now 1,300 hectares. Crews are working to keep the fire from advancing toward communities, using ignition operations to control its spread.
- Dryden fire #5, burning near Sturgeon Lake, 62 kilometres north of Ignace, is at 63 hectares and remains active.
Four of the nine new fires confirmed Monday have now been fully extinguished:
- Kenora fire #18, near Minaki, was extinguished at 0.1 hectares.
- Kenora fire #19, near War Eagle Lake, was extinguished at 0.1 hectares.
- Red Lake fire #3, near Niska Lake and Keewaywin First Nation, was extinguished at 0.1 hectares.
- Nipigon fire #1, near Balsam Road south of Longlac, was extinguished at 0.1 hectares.
The wildfire hazard ranges from low to extreme, with the most severe conditions reported from Red Lake to Quetico Provincial Park.
Officials warn that dry conditions and strong winds continue to challenge containment efforts.
An Implementation Order remains in effect for Kenora fire #14 under Emergency Area Order, restricting access to certain areas:
- Travel beyond Wabaseemoong First Nation on Highway 525 is prohibited unless authorized.
- Lake and waterway access between Tetu Lake and Umfreville Lake, as well as Goshawk Lake and Umfreville Lake, is restricted.
- Use and occupation of Crown Land within designated areas is prohibited.
Fire crews continue suppression efforts under challenging conditions