Wildfire near Temiskaming Shores, Kirkland Lake 5, still not under control

As of Sunday evening, there were 21 active wildfires in northeastern Ontario with no new fires confirmed on Saturday or Sunday. One fire is not yet under control, one fire is under control and 19 are being observed.

Officials with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry continue to work on putting out Kirkland Lake 5, a forest fire burning near Temiskaming Shores. (Northeast Region Aviation, Forest Fire and Emergency Services/Jean Quesnelle)

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Still burning out of control

The out-of-control fire is Kirkland Lake 5, located approximately five kilometres north of Stull Lake and five kilometres southeast of McKee Lake and approximately 80 kilometres west of Latchford, the forest fire was confirmed on Aug. 3.

“This fire measures 889 hectares,” Ministry of Natural Resources & Forestry’s (MNRF) Aviation, Forest Fire and Emergency Services (AFFES) in their report at 6 p.m. on Sunday.

“There was no requirement for aerial fire suppression on Sunday as precipitation and cooler temperatures continued, lowering the fire activity.”

AFFES officials said a total of 10 fire ranger crews, three fire management staff and three helicopters are currently assigned to Kirkland Lake 5 with more resources being assigned over the next few days.

Two CL215’s and a birddog aircraft from Québec supported aerial fire suppression operations on the Kirkland Lake 5 fire on August 6, 2024. (Aviation, Forest Fire and Emergency Services/X)

The fire had shown an increase in fire behaviour on Friday afternoon and for part of Saturday a CL415 waterbomber and a lead birddog aircraft actioned this wildland fire before precipitation and cooler temperatures began to assistance with fire surpression efforts.

“Kirkland Lake 5 is showing an increase in fire behaviour resulting in visible smoke and aerial fire suppression aircraft being overhead,” AFFES said on social media Friday.

Hearst 10 along with 18 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)

Another fire of note

Hearst 8 is now under control. This 87-hectare wildfire, also confirmed Aug. 3, is located approximately 35 kilometers northwest of the community of Constance Lake.

Fire hazard levels

The fire hazard is now mostly low to moderate in the majority of the northeast fire region, according to AFFES.

“One small portion of the region located east of Grundy Lake Provincial Park is showing a high hazard this afternoon,” said the ministry in its update Sunday evening.

“Some portions of Ontario’s Far North are showing a moderate to high hazard.”

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.

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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.