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74 wildfires active in northwestern Ontario; most under observation as thunderstorm and tornado watches issued
More than 70 wildfires are active across the region as of Monday afternoon. Environment and Climate Change Canada issued tornado watches and severe thunderstorm alerts for multiple districts while heat warnings remain in place for several communities.
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Ontario’s Ministry of Natural Resources reported 74 active wildfires in northwestern Ontario on Monday, nine under control and most under observation. Ontario’s Ministry of Natural Resources listed 74 active fires on its interactive map, with nine under control, 15 not under control, one being held and the remainder under observation.
Environment and Climate Change Canada placed orange-level tornado watches on Fort Frances — Emo — Rainy River, Kenora — Grassy Narrows — Whitedog and Sioux Narrows — Nestor Falls — Morson.
The same agency issued yellow-level severe thunderstorm watches for twelve additional districts including Big Trout Lake — Kasabonika, Dryden — Vermilion Bay and Sioux Lookout — Eastern Lac Seul. Thunderstorms are forecast to produce wind gusts up to 120 km/h, hail the size of toonies to golf balls and up to 50 mm of rain.
Yellow-level heat warnings covering Fort Frances — Emo — Rainy River, Sioux Narrows — Nestor Falls — Morson and Savant Lake — Sturgeon Lake are expected to end late Monday, with daytime highs reaching 29 °C.
Nearly 600 evacuees from Kasabonika Lake First Nation remain in Toronto because of a cluster of five fires near the community. Ontario’s Aviation, Forest Fire and Emergency Services has assigned 12 FireRanger crews, eight fire management personnel, three helicopters and two fixed-wing aircraft to the area.
The largest fire in the cluster, Nipigon 12, covers 2,119 hectares and is not under control.
The region’s largest wildfire, Sioux Lookout 1, measures 17,248 hectares and is being observed. Forest fire danger ratings range from low to high, with pockets of extreme hazard in the Dryden, Sioux Lookout, Thunder Bay and Nipigon sectors. Ontario’s outdoor burning regulations remain in effect through October 31.
