Extreme forest fire hazards in parts of the northeast, 2 fires not under control

As of Sunday evening, there were 20 active wildfires in northeastern Ontario. Two fires are not yet under control, two fires are being held and 16 are being observed.

An aerial view of Cochrane 9 taken June 2, 2024, from a helicopter. (Ministry of Natural Resources & Forestry/X | Photo Credit: Chad Porter/Cochrane Fire Management Headquarters)

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The largest fire which is not under control is Hearst 8. The fire measured 84 hectares as of Sunday evening and is located northern region of Nagagamisis Provincial Park approximately 35 kilometers northwest of the community of Constance Lake.

"Four crews of fire rangers are dedicated to this fire and are currently receiving air attack support from 2 CL-415 waterbombers guided by an air attack officer in a birddog aircraft," said Ministry of Natural Resources & Forestry (MNRF) officials in an update Sunday evening.

All 16 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 said the ministry’s Aviation, Forest Fire and Emergency Services (AFFES) 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)

Sudbury 19 was confirmed late Saturday and located near Green Bay on the western shore of Onaping Lake. This firest is now out.

Details of the other three active fires in the region can be found here:

• Sault Ste. Marie 9 (SAU009) is a 1-hectare fire that is being held and is located on the northern shore of Duval Lake.
• Wawa 10 (WAW010) is a 0.1-hectare fire that is being held and is located approximately nine kilometers north of Dotted Lake.
• Kirkland Lake 5 (KLk005) is a 55-hectare fire that was confirmed Saturday and is not yet under control. Aerial suppression was carried out on Aug. 3 and fire ranger crews remain on site. The fire is located 5.5 kilometers southeast of McKee Lake.

The fire hazard remains moderate to high across most of the northeast fire region, according to AFFES.

“There are pockets of extreme fire hazard over Pukaskwa National Park, east of Obatanga Provincial Park, north of Elliot Lake and an area north of Kapuskasing over the Mattagami River,” said the ministry in its update Sunday evening.

The hazard level for Capreol, Temiskaming Shores, Longpoint Lake on Highway 560 and northeast of Timmins remains high.

Northwestern Ontario update

As of Sunday evening, there are 38 active fires in the Northwest Region in various stages of control with four new wildfires confirmed on Aug. 4.

“Four are under control, two are being held, eight are not under control and the remainder are being observed.,” read the ministry’s website on Sunday morning.

An undated photo of Aviation, Forest Fire and Emergency Services personnel measuring water in small plastic cups in the boreal forest. (Ministry of Natural Resources & Forestry/X)

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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.

Stay clear of waterbombers

AFFES is asking the public that when waterbombers approach a body of water to move close to the shore so they can perform their scoop safely as a waterbomber will not scoop from a lake or river if encroaching watercraft pose a safety hazard.

An undated photo of a yellow waterbomber dropping water over a forested area. (Ministry of Natural Resources & Forestry/X)

“Waterbombers scoop and drop water onto a fire in a repetitive pattern,” the ministry said on social media Saturday.

“If you see a waterbomber scooping from a lake or river, they are likely to return several times. Move to the shore and give them ample room to work safely.”

Forest fires are no drone zones

The ministry is reminding people that flying drones around forest fires is both dangerous and illegal.

“When you fly a drone near a forest fire, you can put the lives of pilots, firefighters and other emergency personnel at risk,” said the AFFES update Saturday.

It is illegal to fly drones (also known as UAVs or RPAS) within nine kilometres of any active wildland fire.

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.