#Kenora51 is listed at 156,394 hectares and not under control. This fire has been active over the past several days producing significant smoke. Fire crews and air attack are being utilized in strategic locations to limit fire spread
There are some showers in the forecast Wednesday, but it won’t be nearly enough to dampen the forest fire situation in the region.
There are now 157 active fires across the northwest and 51 are classed as not under control.
There were 20 new starts Tuesday.
The Dryden region led the way with six, Kenora and Red Lake both followed with five, the Sioux Lookout district saw two, while Nipigon and Fort Frances each recorded one.
Premier Doug Ford is scheduled to meet today with evacuees and community leaders in Thunder Bay.
There have been repeated calls for the province to declare a state of emergency.
Ford will be joined by Kenora-Rainy River MPP and Indigenous Affairs Minister Greg Rickford.
Meantime, more help for firefighters is coming from down under.
Australia is sending a crew of 55 to Canada.
They will be working on fires in northwestern Ontario and British Columbia.
They are scheduled to be in the country for seven weeks.
Two of those weeks will be to quarantine before being deployed.
Ontario and Canada sent crews to help Australia battles its wildfires in January 2020.
Fires of Note:
Red Lake 65 – of concern to Poplar Hill First Nation
Fire has been remapped to 18,330 hectares and is 6 km northwest of the community.
The eastern edge of the fire continues to be monitored.
Crews are patrolling the fire east of Stout Lake for hot spots.
Fire behavior is limited on the eastern and southern sides of the fire.
Four crews are assigned to protect the community and critical infrastructure as well as on the fireline.
Utilize bucketing helicopters on the fire’s edge as required
The Ministry of the Solicitor General has coordinated an evacuation of the community.
Red Lake 51 – of concern to Deer Lake First Nation
Fire size is sized at 51,926 hectares and is located approximately 24 kilometres west of the community.
Light drizzle the evening of July 25 and increased cloud cover for July 26 assisted in keeping fire behaviour low yesterday, but winds increased local smoke in the area.
Three crews are focused on the protection of the community and critical infrastructure.
The Ministry of the Solicitor General has coordinated an evacuation of the community.
Sioux Lookout 60 – of concern to Cat lake First Nation
The fire is 1487 hectares and located 8 kilometres west of the community.
The fire displayed limited activity in recent days due to weather conditions
Community protection efforts are ongoing.
6 crews are assigned to the fire. More crews will be arriving soon. Crews are establishing hoselines on the fire and the fire received 5mm of rain Friday night.
An Incident Management Team from Nova Scotia is managing the fire.
Red Lake 77 – Fire of concern to Red Lake
Fire is not under control and has been remapped to 27,172 hectares.
Red Lake 77 is approximately 28 kilometres west/northwest of Madsen and is located approximately 33 kilometres west of Red Lake.
Fire behaviour on the east side of the fire was smouldering with little open flame. This side of the fire received 3 mm of rain recently
A total of 30 pieces of heavy equipment and their operators have been engaged in building approximately 40 kilometres of fire guard in strategic areas.
Fireguard continues to be built east of the fire, heavy equipment is making good progress.
Bucketing helicopters are working along the fire’s edge to reduce fire behaviour.
Crews are working alongside municipal firefighters to protect the community and critical infrastructure.
Kenora 51
Fire is not under control and is 156,394 hectares.
Fire has been active over the past several days producing smoke at the local level.
Crews are working to identify ignition opportunities to bring the fire to natural boundaries.
Use bucketing helicopters and air attack as required
Use crews with hoselines in strategic spots to limit the fire’s spread.
An Incident Management Team is established on the fire
