Thunder Bay – Wildfire Update – As of the late evening on June 1, 2025, the Northwest Region of Ontario is grappling with 12 active wildfires, with one new fire—Kenora 33—discovered and promptly extinguished.
The fire hazard remains high to extreme across the majority of the region, prompting the implementation of a Restricted Fire Zone (RFZ) to mitigate the risk of human-caused fires.
New Fire Discovery
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Kenora 33 (KEN 033): Located approximately 1 kilometre west of Hertz Lake on the north side of Highway 17, this fire was confirmed on Sunday afternoon. It measured 0.1 hectares and has been declared out, thanks to the swift response by Ontario FireRangers.
Fires of Note
Red Lake 12 – Deer Lake First Nation
Red Lake 12 has expanded significantly, now encompassing 17,988 hectares. An Incident Management Team is overseeing suppression efforts, which include 11 Type 1 initial attack fire crews, eight helicopters (comprising two heavy, three medium, and three intermediate), and aerial fire suppression as required. Heavy equipment is being utilized to establish fuel breaks, and FireRanger crews have made substantial progress on values protection, particularly on the east side of the community. Despite these efforts, smoke is expected to continue impacting the local area throughout the week.
Nipigon 5 – Webequie First Nation
Measuring 7,506.9 hectares, Nipigon 5 remains not under control. Six fire crews and two helicopters are assigned to this fire. Firefighters are working diligently to establish hoselines and set up values protection equipment within the community as a precautionary measure. A belly tanker helicopter continues to provide aerial support to crews on the ground.
Kenora 20 – Ingolf, Wabaseemoong
Kenora 20 has grown to 35,151.7 hectares and is not under control. The western flank, located west of the Ontario–Manitoba border, continues to be the most active area of the fire. While the eastern flank has shown no change, increasing fire intensity has been observed within the fire’s interior due to extreme drying conditions. Four additional Type 2 wildland firefighting crews arrived today to support ongoing suppression efforts. Crews are making steady progress on hotspots identified by infrared scanning, supported by ongoing helicopter bucketing operations throughout the day. A cold front is expected to move into the area tomorrow, bringing cooler temperatures and possible precipitation.
Kenora 14 – Wabaseemoong
Currently being held at 1,607 hectares, Kenora 14 continues to be monitored closely. Crews are patrolling for and extinguishing hotspots identified by infrared scan results.
Fire Hazard and Restricted Fire Zone
The fire hazard remains high to extreme across the majority of the Northwest Region. A Restricted Fire Zone is now in effect for a large portion of the Northwest Region. This measure prohibits all open-air burning, including campfires, and suspends all burning permits. Portable gas and propane stoves may be used with extreme caution. For a detailed boundary of the Restricted Fire Zone and current fire hazard conditions, please refer to the Interactive Fire Map.
Implementation Orders and Restrictions
For current information and contact details pertaining to Implementation Orders and associated restrictions for fires Kenora 20 and Kenora 14, visit Ontario.ca/fireupdates.
Please note that the Implementation Orders for Fort Frances 4 and Sioux Lookout 3 have both been revoked.
No Drone Zone: Be Safe, Stay Clear of Forest Fires!
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. Be safe, stay clear of forest fires.
Report a Wildland Fire
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To report a wildland fire located north of the French and Mattawa rivers, please dial 310-FIRE.
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To report a wildland fire located south of the French or Mattawa Rivers, please dial 9-1-1.
