Forest fires
Find information about the current danger, activity and fire restrictions of forest fires and grass and brush fires across Ontario.
Restricted Fire Zone in effect
A Restricted Fire Zone (RFZ) is in effect for the Northwest Region and a small portion of the Northeast Region. Learn more about the current RFZ boundaries and restrictions.
Report a fire
To report a wildland fire (including grass, brush and forest fires) call
South of the French and Mattawa rivers call 911.
Call or text 2-1-1
Ontarians impacted by wildland fires can call or text 2-1-1 or visit 211ontario.ca to get non-emergency info about available supports and services.
Interactive fire map
Real time updates.
Our interactive map visually shows active fires, current fire danger across the province and restricted fire zones in effect.
The map now shows perimeters for some fires over 40 hectares in size. Note that not all fires are mapped and perimeters are not updated every day (may differ from the size reported in the table).
Most of the data used in the Interactive Map is available on Ontario GeoHub.
We recommend using Google chrome as your web browser to access the map.
Ontario's fire season starts April 1
Aviation, Forest Fire and Emergency Services reminds the public that outdoor fire rules are in effect throughout Ontario’s legislated fire season, which runs from April 1 to October 31. To dispose of yard waste and woody debris, we encourage the use of alternatives such as composting or utilizing your local landfill. If you must burn, use caution and follow the rules outlined in Ontario’s Wildland Fire Management regulation.
Fires are to be ignited no sooner than 2 hours before sunset and extinguished no later than 2 hours after sunrise. Always ensure you have adequate tools and water available to contain the fire at the site. Know the rules for safe outdoor burning. Read the full set of outdoor fire rules.
Residents within municipal boundaries must also check with their local fire department for burning restrictions or permitting requirements prior to burning.
Wildland Fire Management Act
Effective April 1, several regulatory changes come into effect as a result of updates to the Wildland Fire Management Act. These amendments will help to ensure greater awareness of rules designed to prevent unwanted human-caused fires and include:
- A new Ontario Regulation 44/26 (Administrative Penalties) to establish a framework for issuing administrative monetary penalties for contraventions of the Act or its regulations, generally before a wildland fire has occurred.
- Replacing the Outdoor Fires regulation with the Ontario Regulation 43/26 (Wildland Fire Management) to clarify, streamline, and reduce permit requirements.
- Amendments to the existing cost recovery regulation.
- Updates to short form wordings in an existing regulation.
These amendments will help modernize wildland fire management and protect Ontario communities throughout current and future wildland fire seasons. To learn more about the updates now in effect, keep an eye out for our social media posts this month or visit the Wildland Fire Management Act webpage found on e-Laws.
Learn more about the regulations.
- Ontario Regulation 44/26 (Administrative Penalties)
- Ontario Regulation 43/26 (Wildland Fire Management)
Forest fire updates
Northeast Region
Updated: July 21, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)
No new wildland fires were confirmed in the Northeast Region today.
There are currently 40 active wildland fires in the Northeast Region. Of these fires: 4 are not under control, 4 are under control and 32 are being observed.
- An update on fire Wawa 17 (WAW017): Four FireRanger crews remain committed to this fire and are making great progress. Crews are continuing to work to establish hoselines around the perimeter. This fire is located approximately 15 kilometres northeast of Pic Mobert and east of White Lake. The fire is not under control at 37.2 hectares. Wawa 17 received 10mm of rain by yesterday afternoon, and an additional 16mm of precipitation overnight.
To access the current forest fire danger rating in your area visit our interactive fire map.
Northwest Region
Updated: July 21, 2026 at 7:45 p.m. Central Daylight Time (CDT)
There were 12 new wildland fires confirmed in the Northwest Region by the evening of July 21.
- Fort Frances 45 (FOR045) is located on an island, on Bartley Lake. The 0.1-hectare fire is being observed.
- Dryden 44 (DRY044) is located approximately 17 kilometers west of highway 599 and southeast of Press Lake. The 0.1-hectare fire is not under control.
- Dryden 45 (DRY045) is located at the northeast end of Rice Lake. The 0.1-hectare fire is not under control.
- Thunder Bay 61 (THU061) is located approximately 1.5 kilometers east of Wawang Lake and northwest of Little Harry Lake. The 0.1-hectare fire is not under control.
- Nipigon 76 (NIP076) is located near Jobes Lake and approximately 27 kilometers southeast of Fort Hope. The 150-hectare fire is not under control.
- Nipigon 77 (NIP077) and Nipigon 78 (NIP078) are located in the far north approximately 16 kilometers north of Webequie. Nipigon 77 (NIP077) is 70 hectares and is not under control, Nipigon 78 (NIP078) is 35 hectares and not under control.
- Nipigon 79 (NIP079) is located in the far north approximately 81 kilometers northeast of Webequie. The 5-hectare fire is not under control.
- Nipigon 80 (NIP080) and Nipigon 81 (NIP081) are located approximately 111 kilometers east of Webequie. Nipigon 80 (NIP080) is 10 hectares and is not under control, Nipigon 81 (NIP081) is 80 hectares and not under control.
- Nipigon 82 (NIP082) is located approximately 12 kilometers northwest of Missisa Lake. The 8-hectare fire is not under control.
- Sioux Lookout 103 (SLK103) is located on an island, on Wapesi Lake. The 0.1-hectare fire is not under control.
At the time of this update there are 146 active wildland fires in the Northwest Region. Of those fires, 53 are not under control, 5 are being held, 7 are under control 81 are being observed.
To access the current forest fire danger rating in your area visit our interactive fire map.
Fires of note
Thunder Bay 36 (THU036)
- The fire is currently measuring 318,812.7 hectares and is not under control.
- FireRanger crews, helicopters and heavy equipment operators are assigned to suppression efforts.
- Recent precipitation over the last several days has helped to reduce fire behaviour, allowing for crews to make good progress on the fire line.
Atikokan Cluster - Fort Frances 14 (FOR014), Fort Frances 15 (FOR015), Fort Frances 38 (FOR038)
- FOR014 is sized at 51,806 hectares and is not under control.
- Firefighting crews from Ontario and Alberta are assigned to the cluster of fires, supported by bucketing helicopters targeting hotspots.
- FOR015 has been remapped to a smaller, more accurate size of 41,830.2 hectares. The fire is not under control.
- There has been no growth on either fire perimeter in the direction of major travel corridors
- FOR038, north of Crystal Lake, is now under control at 44.2 hectares in size.
- Favourable weather conditions have helped to reduce fire behaviour, allowing for crews to make good progress on the fire line.
- The fire areas saw localized rain fall in various amounts throughout the day on July 20 and overnight July 21.
Sioux Lookout 72 – Cat Lake First Nation
- Sioux Lookout 72 was among the fires that exhibited significant growth on July 13 and 14.
- The fire is currently measuring 23,597 hectares and is not under control.
- FireRanger crews are making good progress on suppression efforts supported by bucketing helicopters targeting hotspots.
- Values protection is up and running on the community and cabins in close proximity to the fire.
- Hydro One has replaced burnt poles along the Cat Lake hydro line and will be energizing the line today.
Brightsand Cluster - Dryden 34 (DRY034), Dryden 35 (DRY035), Thunder Bay 54 (THU054), and Thunder Bay 56 (THU056)
- Precipitation received throughout the fire area has reduced fire behaviour.
- Dryden 34 (DRY034) is mapped at 44, 954 hectares and remains not under control.
- Dryden 35 (DRY035) is mapped at 22, 461 hectares and remains not under control.
- Thunder Bay 54 (THU054) is mapped at 7,859 hectares and remains not under control.
- Thunder Bay 56 (THU56) is mapped at 7,947 hectares and remains not under control.
Evacuation Orders
Evacuation Order - Thunder Bay 36, 54 & 56 and Dryden 34 & 35
- All persons must immediately evacuate the area indicated on the attached map unless authorized by an exemption permit issued by the Ministry of Natural Resources.
- All persons are prohibited from entering the area indicated on the attached map unless authorized by a exemption permit issued by the Ministry of Natural Resources.
Review the Evacuation Order Map here.
This Order is in effect as of July 20, 2026 at 07:00 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time until such time as the order is revoked.
For exemption permit information, please call
To support evacuees, a reception centre is open at Fort William Gardens Arena, located at 901 Miles St E, Thunder Bay.
The centre includes sleeping accommodations, food, water, pet accommodation, hygiene kits, and medical supports
Evacuation Order - Fort Frances 14
- All persons must immediately evacuate the area indicated on the attached map unless authorized by a travel permit issued by the Ministry of Natural Resources.
- All persons are prohibited from entering the area indicated on the attached map unless authorized by a travel permit issued by the Ministry of Natural Resources.
Review the Evacuation Order Map here.
This Order is in effect as of July 17, 2026 at 7:00 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time until such time as the order is revoked.
For exemption permit information, please call
To support evacuees, a reception centre is open at Fort William Gardens Arena, located at 901 Miles St E, Thunder Bay.
The centre includes sleeping accommodations, food, water, pet accommodation, hygiene kits, and medical supports
Implementation Orders
Restrictions in effect - Thunder Bay 36, 54 & 56 and Dryden 34 & 35
The Ministry of Natural Resources’ Thunder Bay - Ignace District has invoked an Implementation Order for the purposes of public safety and/or effectual fire suppression, for areas near Thunder Bay 36, 54 & 56 and Dryden 34 & 35. Under the Emergency Area Order EAO 2026-009 declared on July 15, 2026.
All travel and use of as outlined in the identified area on the attached Implementation Order map within the EAO is prohibited unless authorized by a permit to engage in specified activities issued by the Thunder Bay-Ignace District of the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR). These include:
- Armistice Rd
- Banksian Road
- Bert Road
- Black Sturgeon Road
- Block 455
- Block 458
- Block Road 11
- Brightsand Road
- Cedar Rapids Road
- Chappelle Road
- Cheek Road
- Cheeseman Road
- Chief Bay Road
- Dog River Road
- Dolly Road
- Empire Loop Road
- Flash Road
- Geikie Loop Road
- Geikie Road
- Glauca Road
- Graham Road
- Gull Road
- Haas Road
- Harry Road
- Hawkowl Road
- Heaven Road 400 North
- Highway 527
- Highway 811
- Jackfish Road
- Kab Road
- Mack Road
- Mack Station Road
- Main Graham Road
- Mcgee Road
- Mile 82 Road
- Mirror Road
- Moberly Lake Road
- Mug Lake Road
- Net 01 (Whalen)
- Numac Road
- Obonga North Road
- Pakashkan Road
- Poshkokagan Access Point
- Railbed Road
- Rd 175
- Rd 570
- Road 1
- Road 180
- Robin Road
- Rondeau Road
- Sideen Road
- Slingshot Road
- South Alley Road
- Sparrow Road
- Tib Road
- Tower Road
- Weaver Road
- Whiddon Road
- Whistle Road
- Willard Road
All modes of travel/access into and all Crown lands as outlined in the identified area on the attached Implementation Order map within the EAO is prohibited unless authorized by a permit to engage in specified activities issued by the Thunder Bay - Ignace District of the MNR. These include:
- Allely Creek
- Aylsworth Creek
- Bad Medicine Lake
- Brightsand River
- Caribou Lake
- Caribou River
- Collaton Lake
- Dazzle Creek
- Dog River
- Duck Creek
- Fallscamp Creek
- Gnome Lake
- Gull River
- Harmon Lake
- Harry Creek
- Heaven Creek
- Hogarth River
- Kabitotikwia River
- Kashishibog River
- Kenna Creek
- Kopka River
- Lake Nipigon
- Little Jackfish River
- Lookout River
- McConnell Creek
- Mojikit Lake
- Moule Lake
- Pikitigushi River
- Poshkokagan River
- Raymond River
- Ricestalk Creek
- Scallop Lake
- Secord Lake
- Seymour Creek
- Shawanabis Lake
- Slant Creek
- South Summit Lake
- Stork Lake
- Wabikon Creek
- Wabinosh River
- Wapikaimaski Lake
- Whitesand River
- Wolf Creek
- Yoho Creek
- Zigzag Lake
Review the Implementation Order map here
This Order is in effect at 12:01 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time on July 20, 2026 until such time as the order is revoked.
For more information on this Implementation Order, please call
Updated restrictions in effect - Fort Frances 14
The Ministry of Natural Resources’ Thunder Bay - Ignace has invoked an Implementation Order now in effect for the purposes of public safety and fire suppression, for areas near Fort Frances 14, under the Emergency Area Order EAO 2026-09 declared on July 17, 2026.
All travel and use of as outlined in the identified area on the attached Implementation Order map within the EAO is prohibited unless authorized by a permit to engage in specified activities
issued by the Thunder Bay-Ignace District of the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR). These include:
- Athelstane Road
- Blind Bay Road
- Chief Peter Lake Road
- Crayfish Road
- Davidson Road
- Dexter Road
- Gonyou Road
- Hay Lake Road (South of Highway17)
- Huronian Road
- Inwood Township Road
- J.D. Hackman Road
- Kashabowie Road
- Lac Des Mille Lac Road
- Lily Lake Road
- Pipeline Road
- Sapawe Road
- Sawmill Bay Road
- Seine East Road
- Seine River Road
- Stetham Lake Road
- Upsala Road
All modes of travel/access into and all Crown lands as outlined in the identified area on the attached Implementation Order map within the EAO is prohibited unless authorized by a permit to engage in specified activities issued by the Thunder Bay - Ignace District of the MNR. These include:
- Atikokan River
- Beaver River
- Boundary Lake
- East Divide Lake
- Firesteel River
- Hay River
- Huronian Lake
- Inwood Creek
- Inwood Lake
- Kashabowie Lake
- Kashabowie River
- Lac des Mille Lac
- Little Kabaigon Lake
- Little Savanne River
- McKay Creek
- Mud Lake
- Nemiman Lake
- Obadinaw River
- Postans Lake
- Savanne River
- Seine River
- Sitches Lake
- Union Lake
- Upsala Creek
- Windigoostigwan Lake
This Order is in effect at 12:01 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time on July 17, 2026 until such time as the order is revoked.
For more information on this Implementation Order, please call
Evacuation Alerts
Expanded Evacuation Alert - Fort Frances 14
Please be advised that all areas included in the prior Evacuation Order remain under those orders and evacuation is still required.
An expanded Evacuation Alert has been issued for areas within the Thunder Bay-Ignace District near the active wildland fire, Fort Frances 14. This is not an Evacuation Order. Residents in the newly identified alert areas are strongly encouraged to prepare for a possible evacuation and be ready to leave on short notice if conditions change.
This includes the following townships:
- Ames
- Begin
- Blackwell
- Colliver
- Conacher
- Duckworth
- Fallis
- Gibbard
- Goldie
- Goodfellow
- GTP Block 2
- GTP Block 3
- GTR Block 4
- Hagey
- Haines
- Horne
- Inwood
- Joynt
- Lamport
- Langworthy
- Laurie
- Michener
- Moss
- Robson
- Savanne
- Soper
- Stedman
- Upsala
- Wardrope
And all areas accessed by:
- Athelstane Road
- Bedivere Road
- Boot Bay Road
- Brule Road
- Burchell Road
- Chief Peter Lake Road
- Connection Road
- Direct Road
- Dog River Road
- Drift Lake Road
- Fortes Lake Road
- Gold Creek Road
- Graham Road
- Haner Road
- Heart Lake Road
- Hoof Lake Road
- Lac Des Mille Lac Road
- Lily Lake Road
- Mine Road
- NeZaadiikaang Rd
- Numac Road
- Rounde Lake Road
- Sapawe Road
- Seine River Road
- Shabaqua Road
- Shelby Lake Road
- Sideen Rd
- Sideen Road
- Swamp Road
- Township Road
- Wawiag North Road
- Wawiag Road
- West Nelson Lake Road
All areas located on the following lakes:
- Shebandowan Lakes
- Kashabowie Lake
- Burchell Lake
- Lac Des Milles Lacs
- Rudge Lake
- Brule Lake
- Baril Lake
- Lang lake
- Huronian Lake
- Peterkin Lake
- Athelstane
- Little Athelstane Lake
- Bundy Lake
- Worthy Lake
- Milton Lake
- Moss Lake
- Rainbow Lake
Please plan ahead and stay connected:
- Make sure you are aware of the current fire situation
- Prepare an emergency bag with your essentials (medicine, passports, legal documents etc.)
- Monitor official channels for updates at ontario.ca/fireupdates
- Be ready to quickly leave if instructed
- Respect evacuation orders, road closures and public officials' direction
- Give crews and aircraft ample space to work
For more information on this evacuation alert, please call
Evacuation Alert - Fort Frances 15 & 38
An evacuation alert has been issued by Dryden Fort Frances Atikokan District due to the evolving situation and increased fire behaviour of multiple wildland fires including Fort Frances 14, Fort Frances 15 and Fort Frances 38. People residing or utilizing the area near the fires are strongly encouraged to prepare to evacuate on short notice.
This includes the following townships:
- Hutchison
- Ramsay Wright
- Trottier
- Weaver
All areas accessed by:
- Boot Lake Road
- Camp 111 Road
- Crooked Pine Lake Road
- Duck Lake Road
- Marion Lake Road
- Premier Lake Road
- Sapawe-Upsala Road
- Stanton Bay Road
- White Lily Road
All areas located on the following lakes:
- Como Lake
- Crystal Lake
- Eva Lake
- Magnetic Lake
- Marion Lake
- Mercutio Lake
- Niobe Lake
- Nydia Lake
- Sapawe Lake
- Whiskeyjack Lake
- Windigoostigwan Lake
Please plan ahead and stay connected:
- Make sure you are aware of the current fire situation
- Prepare an emergency bag with your essentials (medicine, passports, legal documents etc.)
- Monitor official channels for updates at ontario.ca/fireupdates
- Be ready to quickly leave if instructed
- Respect evacuation orders, road closures and public officials' direction
- Give crews and aircraft ample space to work
For more information on this evacuation alert, please call
Evacuation Alert - Fort Frances 39 & Minnesota’s ‘Thumb Fire’
An evacuation alert has been issued by Dryden Fort Frances Atikokan District due to the evolving situation and increased fire behaviour of wildland Fire Fort Frances 39 and Minnesota’s ‘Thumb Fire’. People residing or utilizing the area near the fires, located within Ontario, are strongly encouraged to prepare to evacuate on short notice.
This includes all areas accessed by:
- Lagoon Road
And all areas located on the following lakes:
- Blue Lake
- Cranberry Lake
- Lac La Croix
- Lilac Lake
- Loon Lake
- Queer Rock Lake
- Spring Lake
- Thompson Lake
- Trout Lake
Please plan ahead and stay connected:
- Make sure you are aware of the current fire situation
- Prepare an emergency bag with your essentials (medicine, passports, legal documents etc.)
- Monitor official channels for updates at ontario.ca/fireupdates
- Be ready to quickly leave if instructed
- Respect evacuation orders, road closures and public officials' direction
- Give crews and aircraft ample space to work
For more information on this evacuation alert, please call
NOTAM - Fort Frances 14
There is currently a NOTAM in the area of wildland fire Fort Frances 14, northeast of Byers Lake.
This is over and above the standard airspace restrictions imposed by Section 601.15 of the Canadian Aviation Regulations (CARs) which state that the airspace around all active forest fires is restricted to forest fire suppression aircraft only, specifically airspace within 5 nautical miles, up to an altitude of 3000 feet above ground level.
Pilots are reminded that NOTAMs concerning forest fires can be found on NavCanada’s Collaborative Flight Planning Services under the ‘Weather and NOTAM’ tab, when flight planning.
Restricted fire zones
Northwest Region Restricted Fire Zone
Due to the high to extreme fire hazard, increased wildland fire activity, the current fire load and to reduce the number of human-caused wildland fires, the Ministry of Natural Resources will be implementing a Restricted Fire Zone (RFZ) effective July 15 at 12:01 a.m. local time for the Northwest Region and a small portion of the Northeast Region.
The areas impacted are from the corner of the borders of the USA, Manitoba and Ontario, north along the Manitoba and Ontario border to a point southwest of the Echoing River, then southeast in a straight line to roughly 40 kilometres northeast of the community of Kitchenuhmaykoosib, then east to a point roughly 73 kilometres northwest of the community of Attawapiskat, then south to roughly 12 kilometres south of Highway 11, then west to the northeast tip of Sandlink Lakes, then south following Sandlink Creek to Northeast Bay on McKay Lake, following the eastern shore of McKay Lake to the entrance of the Pic River, then south along the Pic River to Lake Superior Canada/US border in Lake Superior. This order is required to reduce the number of human-caused wildland fires. We are expecting the current fire hazard to remain, along with the potential for problematic fires to continue and expect a continuation of the increased forest fire activity into the foreseeable future.
No open air burning, including campfires, is permitted within the boundaries of a RFZ. Portable gas or propane stoves may be used for cooking and warmth but must be handled with extreme caution. All burning permits are suspended. The RFZ will be in place until further notice.
Northeast Region Restricted Fire Zone (RFZ)
Due to the high to extreme fire hazard, increased wildland fire activity, the current fire load and to reduce the number of human-caused wildland fires, the Ministry of Natural Resources will be implementing an additional section of the RFZ effective July 18 at 12:01 a.m. local time for a portion of the Northeast Region.
The additional areas impacted are from the mouth of the Pic River on Lake Superior, north along the Pic River to the Sandlink Lake area, east to the Ontario–Quebec border through portions of Cochrane District, south to the southeast corner of Cochrane District, west to the area of Opishing Lake, following the borders of Cochrane, Sudbury and Algoma Districts to the area of Easey Lake, south to the Montreal River, west to Lake Superior, and west along the Canada–United States border to the mouth of the Pic River.
This order is required to reduce the number of human-caused wildland fires. We are expecting the current fire hazard to remain, along with the potential for problematic fires to continue and expect a continuation of the increased forest fire activity into the foreseeable future.
No open air burning, including campfires, is permitted within the boundaries of a RFZ. Portable gas or propane stoves may be used for cooking and warmth but must be handled with extreme caution. All burning permits are suspended. The RFZ will be in place until further notice.
Lake Superior Provincial Park is included within this RFZ, even if it is not displayed when viewing RFZ areas on the interactive fire map.
If your municipality has also imposed a fire ban, you must comply with both the restricted fire zone (RFZ) and municipal fire ban.
Contact information
Call or text 2-1-1
Ontarians impacted by wildland fires can call or text 2-1-1 or visit 211ontario.ca to get non-emergency info about available supports and services.
Northeast Region
Evan Lizotte
Fire Information Officer
705-564-6146
Sydney Morgan-Gervais
Fire Information Officer
Northwest Region
Monitored 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)
Shayne McCool and Jonathan Scott
Fire Information Officers
Atikokan Cluster (FOR014, FOR015, FOR038)
Chris Marchand
Fire Information Officer
Horan Incident Management Team
Thunder Bay 36
Karen Dykxhoorn
Fire Information Officer
Perin Incident Management Team
Social media
Check out our Facebook, Instagram and X (formerly Twitter) accounts for safety tips and other wildland fire related information.
For highway conditions, including road closures, call
For air quality in your area, visit:
public weather alerts for Canada
For smoke drift conditions across North America, visit:
smoke drift across North America
For information about wildland fire smoke and your health, consult:
smoke and your health
Fires: year to date
These figures represent the year-to-date total number of wildland fires inside Ontario’s fire region for the 2026 fire season, as they compare to the 2025 season and to the 10-year average.
- 565fires in 2026
- 377fires in 2025
- 36410-year average
Fire bans in provincial parks
For all park fire bans visit:
Ontario parks alerts
You are responsible for fires you light
From April through October, people using outdoor fires must follow strict guidelines under the Wildland Fire Management Act of Ontario to ensure their fires are properly managed.
Anyone who starts a fire outdoors must take all necessary steps to tend the fire, keep it under control and make sure the fire is out before leaving the site. A person failing to burn safely could be fined and held responsible for the cost of putting out the fire. People living in municipalities should check with local fire officials for bylaws on outdoor fires.
Hunters
- Check the interactive fire map to find out where the active wildland fires are in Ontario.
- Be aware of FireRangers who may be working in wildland areas.
- Check your surroundings for FireRanger activity before discharging your firearm to help keep everyone safe.
About Aviation, Forest Fire and Emergency Services (AFFES)
Visit our forest, wildland and outdoor fires page for more information on AFFES and wildland fire management, including: