27 forest fires burning in the northeast, none out of control
As of Monday morning, there were 27 active wildfires in northeastern Ontario with one new fire confirmed on Sunday. Nine other new fires were confirmed in the north east region last week. For active fires, five are under control and 22 are being observed.
An undated photo of an Ontario fire ranger using a blast of water from a firehose to extinguish a hot spot on a burned-over landscape. (Aviation, Forest Fire and Emergency Services/X)
Fires of note
The Kirkland Lake 7 wildfire was confirmed Sunday afternoon and is 3 kilometers east of Radisson Lake and 50 kilometers west of the community of Kirkland Lake. The fire is less than 1 hectare in size and is under control said Ministry of Natural Resources & Forestry’s (MNRF) Aviation, Forest Fire and Emergency Services (AFFES) in their Sept. 1 update report.
Burnt ground and trees within the perimeter of Kirkland Lake 5 in late August. (Ministry of Natural Resources & Forestry/X)
Kirkland Lake 5 is an 889-hectare forest fire located approximately five kilometres north of Stull Lake and five kilometres southeast of McKee Lake and approximately 80 kilometres west of Latchford that was confirmed on Aug. 3. This fire was deemed under control on Saturday according to AFFES.
Kirkland Lake 5’s status changed from out of control to being held on Aug. 28.
“Due to the great work of fire rangers and aerial operations, Kirkland Lake 5 is now being held,” said the ministry on social media Wednesday.
“A perimeter has been established around the fire and sufficient suppression action has been taken so that the fire is not likely to spread beyond the control boundaries.”
Aerial view of Kirkalnd Lake 5 in late August 2024. (Ministry of Natural Resources & Forestry/X)
Several fire ranger crews along with helicopters with bucketing capabilities and other aerial supports had been dedicated to this fire for several weeks.
Wawa 13 is an almost 30-hectare wildfire located located approximately 13 kilometres east of Negwazu Lake and 18 kilometres north of Highway 519 that was confirmed on Aug. 21. This fire is now under control after previously receiving aerial support.
Two CL215’s and a birddog aircraft from Québec supported aerial fire suppression operations in northern Ontario on August 6, 2024. (Aviation, Forest Fire and Emergency Services/X)
Being observed
Chapleau 8 and Hearst 10 along with 20 fires in the Cochrane district are being observed – with Cochrane 9 burning since June 2 and now measuring more than 6,000 hectares.
“Cochrane 9, is now being observed,” said MNRF officials on social media earlier this season.
“Initially very active, it has seen many bouts of significant rain. This Far North fire is now being monitored to allow the natural ecological benefits of fire on the landscape.”
Aerial view of Cochrane 9 in early June 2024. (Ministry of Natural Resources & Forestry/X | Photo Credit: Chad Porter/Cochrane Fire Management Headquarters)
Fire hazard levels
The fire hazard is low to moderate across the Northeast Region, according to the ministry’s update Sunday evening.
“There is an area with a high fire hazard extending north from Nairn Centre to Wahnapitae to Pointe au Baril,” reads the update.
A municipal fire ban
Ahead of the Labour Day long weekend, the northeastern Ontario community of Iroquois Falls issued a municipal fire ban due to extremely dry conditions.
An undated photo of the welcome sign for the Town of Iroquois Falls. (File photo/Supplied/Town of Iroquois Falls)
The ban is set to remain in effect until further notice.
“All fire permits have been suspended. No open air burning is permitted at any time of day. This includes, but is not limited to: camp fires, fire pits, fire places, burn barrels and brush piles,” reads a news release from the town’s fire department.
“Any person setting an open air fire, will be responsible and liable for all costs and possibly fined.”
Interactive fire map
The MNRF’s interactive map visually shows active fires, current fire danger across Ontario and any restricted fire zones in effect with real-time updates as information becomes available.
The map can be viewed here.
Reporting a wildland fire
To report a wildland fire located north of the French and Mattawa rivers, please dial 310-FIRE. To report a wildland fire located south of the French or Mattawa Rivers, please dial 911.
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