All of Northwestern Ontario has been designated a restricted fire zone by the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR), as a recent eruption of fires across the region has prompted evacuations, shut down highways and shrouded some areas in thick orange smoke.
The MNR announced on Tuesday that the restrictions would come into force as of 12:01 a.m. this morning. The declaration is an emergency no‑fire order from the province implemented when conditions are extremely dry or firefighting resources are maxed out.
The ban covers all of the Northwest and part of the Northeast, with the hope of preventing human-caused fires. It means no outdoor fires of any kind are allowed— campfires, brush burning, fire pits, charcoal barbecues—unless very narrow exceptions are met. Propane stoves and barbecues are allowed under the ban because they can be shut off instantly.
“At present, we are seeing high to extreme hazard levels and increased fire activity following recent lightning events,” MNR Fire Information Officer Chris Marchand told The Times in an email.
“The types of wildland fires we are seeing on the landscape, either large in size or close to communities and other important structures or resources, require full deployment of available resources. Given these conditions, this RFZ will help reduce preventable human-caused fires and limit additional demands on firefighting resources as crews continue to respond to existing wildland fires.”
There are currently 161 active fires across the province. With current and forecasted dry and warm weather, we are anticipating continued increases in activity across much of the province.
The Town of Fort Frances has also implemented a corresponding municipal fire ban according to an email from Interim Fire Chief Wayne Riches.
“Please be advised that due to the extreme weather conditions, where we are seeing record-breaking temperatures, significant winds forecasted, a lack of any measurable precipitation in the near future, and overall drought conditions, the decision has been made to implement a total fire ban within the Municipal boundaries of Fort Frances,” Riches wrote.
“This includes open-air burning, recreational fires, and campfires. This fire ban will take effect July 15 at 12:01 am.”
As of Tuesday afternoon, Marchand said that the planning and response level is high on the scale that the MNR uses and that they’ve allocated their resources strategically.
“We are experiencing a very high level of escalation, at a planning and response level of 4 (on a scale out of 5),” Marchand wrote.
“Under these conditions, we must prevent as many new fires from developing as possible to limit the demand on our firefighting resources, allowing us to focus on priority areas. Our focus continues to be on priority areas where fire suppression efforts are most likely to be successful, with top priorities being the protection of wildland firefighting personnel and public safety, critical infrastructure, and capturing, where possible, new fires.”
While wildfires are ever-changing, the Fort Frances fire management area has been one of the hardest-hit areas so far, he said.
“Fort Frances fire management area is presently host to one of several priority fire situations in the Northwest Region. Fires Fort Frances 14 (Lac des Mille Lacs), Fort Frances 15 (north Quetico Provincial Park), Fort Frances 38 (Crystal Lake), and Fort Frances 39 near Gakijiwanong Anishinaabe Nation (also known as Lac La Croix First Nation) have seen significant activity over the past several days,” Marchand said.
“Fire activity is occurring across multiple areas of the Northwest region, and suppression priorities are determined by factors such as fire behaviour, weather conditions, values at risk, and opportunities for successful suppression. An incident management team has been activated to manage the fire response in the Atikokan/Upsala area.”
While the community of Fort Frances itself has not seen many fires particularly close at this time, the fire management area has been pretty active. Marchand wrote that that 39 fires have been recorded in the Fort Frances management area this season so far and what could happen next is unpredictable.
“It is difficult to predict what kind of season will unfold for us in Ontario. The ability to provide accurate weather forecasts is challenging over a longer outlook period,” he said.
“Each fire season is highly variable and is based on actual weather trends that develop throughout the fire season, as well as the type of fuel on the landscape. Fire activity can change quickly within a given week, month, or across the season and can also vary significantly from previous years activity. Current and forecasted wildland fire conditions are being continuously and carefully monitored to ensure our readiness to respond to wildland fires.”
Northwest Region OPP are offering advice on social media to keep residents of areas near fires safe and in the event of an evacuation.
“If you are evacuating, remember to pack essential items, such as medications, identification, passports, and important documents. Follow all evacuation orders, road closures, and instructions from emergency officials. Keep a safe distance from emergency crews and aircraft so they can carry out their work effectively.”
As of 9:15 p.m. CDT, according to the Ontario Provincial Police – North West Region Facebook page, several northwestern communities are under evacuation order, including Armstrong, Collins First Nation, Cushing Lake, Lac des Mille Lacs First Nation and nearby communities, Gakijiwanong Anishinaabe Nation (Lac La Croix First Nation), Whitesand First Nation and Gull Bay First Nation.
Other communities are under evacuation alerts, meaning residents are encouraged to prepare to evacuate, including Ignace, Upsala Quetico, Crystal Lake, Atikokan and the Niobi Lake area.
After being closed yesterday, the section of Highway 11 between Highway 633 and Highway 623 east of Atikokan had reopened as of last night, according to the OPP.
Highway 599 between Highway 516 and Mishkeegogamang First Nation, as well as Highway 527 between Gull Bay First Nation and Armstrong, remain closed as of last night’s OPP social media report.
Thunder Bay-Rainy River MP Marcus Powlowski has posted several photos and comments on his Facebook page expressing support for constituents affected by the fires and offering advice.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the people of Gakijiwanong Anishinaabe Nation (formerly Lac La Croix First Nation) who have been evacuated from their community and with the many others across the country who are being threatened by forest fires,” he wrote.
“Also our heartfelt thanks to those across the country battling the blazes and to the Americans fighting the fire south of Lac La Croix.”
Powlowski advised residents to heed the advice of local emergency personnel and first responders.
“As Northwestern Ontario continues to experience significant heat and wildfire conditions, err on the side of caution and assume authorities know what they are talking about,” he said.
“I encourage everyone to follow updates from local emergency services, municipal authorities, Indigenous leadership, and official government sources. My office will continue to monitor the situation closely and remain in contact with community leaders and emergency response officials to help ensure residents have access to the information and support they need. Should the Province of Ontario determine that additional resources are required and request federal assistance, I will certainly advocate for and support any efforts to ensure affected communities receive the help they need. Please stay safe, check in on neighbours, friends and family members who may need assistance, and follow all evacuation orders and emergency instructions if they are issued.”
Powlowski noted that fire response is not the jurisdiction of the federal government, but it can and will render aid as requested by the province and local jurisdictions.
“Please note, in Canada, emergencies are managed locally by police, fire departments, First Nation communities, municipalities, etc. They can ask the province for assistance. If the emergency escalates beyond their capacity, the province can, and should, ask for assistance from the federal government.”
As of press time, Kenora-Rainy River MPP Greg Rickford had not responded to a request for comment.
