More than 110 wildfires currently burn in Ontario

NEWS RELEASE

MINISTRY OF NATURAL RESOURCES

*************************** The forest fire battle continues across Ontario today.

Thirteen new fires were reported yesterday.

A few of these fires may be older and just detected because some smoke has lifted, improving visibility.

The total number of fires currently burning in the province to date is 111.

The fires cover 493,000 ha to date.

Cloud cover and some precipitation over parts of  Northwestern Ontario slowed the fires growth somewhat but 11 new fires were detected.

High winds in the southern part of the area of concern did cause some extreme fire behaviour. 

Today’s weather forecast calls for cloud cover and some precipitation in the area of concern, clearing later in the day.

A relatively quiet fire day with little smoke issues is expected.

However, multiple fire starts are expected to occur over the next few days from thunderstorm activity.

Yesterday’s planned evacuations from multiple communities are completed.

Evacuees were transported to Thunder Bay or Toronto and then moved to host locations including Greenstone, Mooseonee, Marathon, Ignace, and Ottawa.

The number of evacuees to date is 3400.

There are currently no evacuations planned for today.

The MNR, EMO, and other partner agencies will continue to execute evacuations as needed and quickly and safely as possible.

Currently, there are over 2,000 fire personnel engaged on Ontario fires.

Of this 2,000, 621 are from out of province.

Provinces providing Ontario with firefighting resources include British Columbia, Yukon, Saskatchewan, Alberta, New Brunswick, Quebec, Manitoba, and Newfoundland/ Labrador.

Firefighting equipment being used today includes 17 heavy bombers, four light bombers, 90+ helicopters and other support aircraft.

A restricted fire zone continues to be implemented on the north western regions of the province.

More information on restricted fire zones is available at current restricted fire zones in Ontario

Four new fires were reported on Thursday, July 21:

- North Bay 26 - human caused - out - 0.2 hectares, Boston Island, south shore of Lake Nipissing

- Sudbury 37 - human caused - out - 0.1 hectares - east of Greater Sudbury Airport

- Kirkland Lake 9 - lightning caused - out - 0.1 hectares - west of Matachewan

- Timmins 20 - human caused - out - Highway 144 area north of St. Louis Lake

Five new fires were reported by the evening of July 22. 

There are no issues anticipated with any of the new fires.

- Hearst 6 - lightning caused - not under control - 0.5 hectares - 45 kilometers north of Kapuskasing

- Sudbury 38 - human caused - out - 0.1 hectares - Johnny Lake area, off Highway 637

- Sudbury 39 - lightning caused - not under control - 0.7 hectares - French River Provincial Park

- North Bay 27 - lightning caused - not under control - 0.1 hectares - 39 kilometers northeast of Lake Wanapitei

- Wawa 21 - lightning caused - not under control - 0.1 hectares - southeast of Caramat

Active fires

- Cochrane 6 - lightning caused - being observed - 500.0 hectares - 63 kilometers southwest of Kashechewan

- Cochrane 13 - lightning caused - being observed - 600.0 hectares - 30 kilometres southeast of Peawanuck

- Cochrane 15 - lightning caused - being observed - 7.0 hectares - west of Attawapiskat

- Cochrane 16 - lightning caused - being observed - 30 hectares - west of Fort Albany

- Cochrane 17 - lightning caused - being observed - 120 hectares - 43 kilometers southwest of Fort Albany

- Cochrane 18 - lightning caused - being observed - 30 hectares - 44 kilometers south of Fort Albany

Smoke from fires burning in the Northwest Region may still be affecting some communities in the Northeast Region depending on wind speed and direction.

The fire hazard is moderate to high in the southern half of the region, but in the northern half it is low to moderate.

The hazard will increase again throughout any continued drying periods.

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