TORONTO: The number of active wildfires burning across Northwestern Ontario has risen to 52 after five new fires were confirmed by Sunday evening. Among the latest is Red Lake 99, which is burning out of control near Grist Lake and has spread over an area of 394 hectares. Other new fires include Red Lake 98 near Hornby Lake, Red Lake 100 near Poplar Hill First Nation, and Red Lake 102 near Nechigona Lake. Of these, only Red Lake 100 is under control. Fire officials have urged the public to comply with emergency orders issued by the provincial government and to stay away from restricted areas to support safety and firefighting operations.
Across the northwest region, firefighters are actively suppressing some fires, containing others, and monitoring many more. Authorities have warned that the risk of wildfire spread is high along the Ontario-Manitoba border, particularly near Woodland Caribou Provincial Park (Weeskaijaak Ohtahshoganeeng Provincial Park).
Travel restrictions are in place near Red Lake 62, where firefighters are working with aircraft, engines, and heavy equipment to control a fire spanning 31,400 hectares. Meanwhile, Red Lake 12, the largest active fire in the region, has now grown to over 195,000 hectares and is located near Deer Lake and Sandy Lake First Nations. Fire officials continue to urge people to respect emergency orders and stay out of restricted zones to support safety and firefighting operations.
