Residents in Ingolf, Rice Lake, Malachi, and Ottermere have been ordered to evacuate immediately as the wildfire Kenora Fire #20 continues to spread.
The fire was reported at 100 hectares on Monday evening, but by Tuesday afternoon, it had grown to roughly 8,000 hectares.
Officials from the Ministry of Natural Resources and emergency response teams are tracking the fire, which is burning on Longpine Lake, east of Ingolf, according to a social media post on Pellatt United Firefighters’ Facebook page.
The district manager for the Ministry of Natural Resources, Brian Kilgour, has indicated that an Implementation Order and Emergency Area Order will be enacted to formally restrict entry into the fire zone and include an evacuation order.
Aerial suppression efforts with CL415 waterbombers are ongoing.
As a precaution, the OPP has advised residents to leave the area immediately and notify others in the affected communities.
Pickerel Lake Road will be closed just past the Pelican Pouch boat launch to restrict access.
Officials are advising residents to contact anyone they know in the affected areas and ensure they leave for safety.
The Pelican Pouch area is also on standby for evacuation efforts.