No new fires reported in the northeast, northwest prepares for more potential starts

There 27 active wildfires in the Northeast Region and most of the area is no longer consider at severe risk for forest fires, according to Saturday's update from Aviation, Forest Fire and Emergency Services (AFFES).

Of these active fires, six are under control and 21 are being observed, the report said. No new fires were reported in the Northeast Region Saturday.

“The most southern section of the region from North Bay to Port Severn and east to Carleton Place has a low to moderate fire hazard value,” said emergency officials.

Cochrane 7 remains the largest and most significant fire in the region – however it has been under control for the past few days. Cochrane 7, confirmed on June 2, is located northeast of Lake Abitibi and has burned 37,742 hectares.

• Download the CTV News app now and get local alerts on your device
• Get local breaking news and updates sent to your email inbox

NORTHWEST REGION

There 40 active wildfires in the Northwest Region with wildland fire hazard mainly low to moderate across the western half of the region, and moderate to high across the eastern half of the region, according to the AFFES update.

Of these active fires, five are not under control, four are being held, two are under control and 29 fires are being observed.

In Ontario, a fire classified as ‘being observed’ is being monitored to allow the ecological benefits of wildland fire to take place as it would in the natural environment without human intervention, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry explained in a recent tweet.

#WidlandFires are a vital ecological component of #Canadian forests. In #Ontario, a fire classified as Being Observed is being monitored to allow the ecological benefits of wildland fire to take place as it would in the natural #Environment without human intervention. pic.twitter.com/MywaVuIhae

— Ontario Forest Fires (@ONforestfires) July 21, 2023

“Initial attack crews have called 4 fires out in the past 24 hours,” said emergency officials, in the update.

“There were four new fires confirmed in the Northwest Region by the late afternoon.”

Red Lake 50 and Red Lake 51 were both called out on Saturday after being confirmed.

Nipigon 57 and Nipigon 58 are located approximately 41.2 kilometres and 48.5 kilometres southeast of Beardmore respectively, near Wintering Lake. Nipigon 57 is currently being held and Nipigon 58 is not yet under control. Both fires measure 0.1 hectares.

Sioux Lookout 33 remains the largest and most significant fire in the region – it is still not under control. Sioux Lookout 33 is located on the western edge of Wabakimi Provincial Park and is 60,394 hectares in size.

Helicopter bucketing operations are one form of aerial fire suppression used by Aviation, Forest Fire and Emergency Services to control active forest fires in Ontario. (Supplied)“Crews continue to establish hose lines while helicopter bucketing operations continue to work priority areas on the fire,” reads the report.

Sioux Lookout 44, located on the west side of Lake St. Joseph is now being held at 6,730 in size.

Nipigon 19 is located northwest of Ogoki Lake and Red Lake 28 is located 40 kilometers North of Lac Seul First Nation are still not under control and have grown to 10,182 and 19,177 hectares respectively – with crews continuing to establish hose lines working along side helicopter bucketing.

Emergency officials expect more fire starts in the region in the coming days.

Temperatures in many parts of the northwest are expected to climb to the 28-30°C range over the next week, according to Environment Canada forecasts.

FIRE BANS

The Restricted Fire Zone (RFZ) previously in place for the entire Fire Region of Ontario was lifted on July 11 and northeastern municipalities do not have fire bans currently in place.

An undated photo of people roasting marshmallows over a campfire. (Image courtesy of Ontario Forest Fires/Twitter)“Lifting the RFZ does not mean we can let our guard down when it comes to preventing human-caused fires,” said emergency officials.

“We all need to remain vigilant and keep safety top of mind when having outdoor fires.”

THE 2023 FOREST FIRE SEASON

The 2023 forest fire season has been a busy one in Ontario, with a total of 450 confirmed fires reported so far this year, above the 10-year average of 412 fires for the same time period – and significantly more than the 148 total fires reported in 2022.

STAY UP-TO-DATE

CTVNewsNorthernOntario.ca will continue to monitor the ever-changing situation and will provide new information as it becomes available. Check back often for updates.

For a closer look at fire hazard conditions in your area, view the Ontario Forest Fire Info Map online here.

AFFES staff and @SmokeyBear joined the Sault’s 100th Rotaryfest parade on July 15. Thank you, @SaultFire, for inviting Smokey to join you on top of the fire truck during the parade. Staff were also on site at the festival’s PlayZone to talk to families about wildland fire safety. pic.twitter.com/qnHOfTDj8H

— Ontario Forest Fires (@ONforestfires) July 17, 2023