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Sol Mamakwa at QP Oct 27 2026

Demand for public inquiry into 2026 wildland fire season raised at Queen’s Park

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The opposition is still seeking answers to this past summer’s wildland fires in northwestern Ontario.

They, and others, have been critical about how well the Ministry of Natural Resources was prepared.

Two First Nations and several lodges were destroyed by fires this past summer.

Thousands of people, many from First Nations communities, were forced to evacuate, in some cases, without the immediate support of the province.

Speaking at Queen’s Park, Kiiwetinoong MPP Sol Mamakwa says a public inquiry is needed.

“Many more communities were forced to evacuate to places all over Ontario,” says Mamakwa.

“This government let the north down. Will the premier launch a public inquiry into the government’s emergency response to the wildfires?

Natural Resources Minister Mike Harris says a review of operations internally is underway, but deflects the demand by outlining the investments the government has made to wildland firefighting

“We have increased the wildland firefighting budget by 114%,” says Harris.

“Under the previous Liberal-NDP coalition, that budget was stagnant, stagnant for years. It was one of the first things we did when we came in and we took government, was increase that budget because we knew it was important.”

Harris adds that the province has also ordered six new CL515 water bombers and is in the process of acquiring five new helicopters.

Quetico Park sign

Quetico Provincial Park fully reopens

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Quetico Provincial Park says all of its backcountry areas have been reopened.

Much of the area was closed for several weeks this summer because of wildland fires.

There are still three that are considered active, but are not posing any public threat.

The park is still asking visitors to stay away from areas that have been burned over, as hazards still exist.

Some of the portages are also unusable.

It has also set up a phone line for visitors to call for help with their trip-planning.

Forest Fire - crew member work Nipigon 99 2017 MNR supplied

Major upgrades planned at 2 wildland firefighting bases in northwestern Ontario

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The provincial government is committing $20 million to upgrade two Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry fire bases in northwestern Ontario.

The work will take place at bases located at Socket Lake, near Sioux Lookout, and Vedette Lake, north of Fort Frances.

Director of Aviation, Forest Fire and Emergency Services Chris Cuthbertson says they are vital to wildland firefighting efforts.

“In order to effectively manage wildland fires, we mobilize and deploy our firefighters, aircraft maintenance engineers, pilots and support staff, and the necessary equipment to 32 strategically located bases across the north,” says Cuthbertson.

“These bases provide Ontario with the ability to move our resources to the front line efficiently and safely while providing critical operational supports, and in some cases, a comfortable place to rest for our personnel after a hard day’s work on the fire line.”

To ensure the bases meet the Ministry’s needs, the province will spend $12.3 million to redevelop the Vedette forward attack base and another $8.3 million to upgrade the Socket Lake base.

“These upgrades will enhance operations, provide improved staff accommodations, and help us deploy resources more effectively across the province,” says Mike Harris, Minister of Natural Resources

Construction is underway, with the bases ready for use ahead of next year’s wildland fire season.

The province is also eyeing improvements to its other bases.

The Ministry operates 14 fire management headquarters, three attack bases, 15 forward attack bases, two regional fire centres, a provincial fire centre, an emergency operations centre, three logistics centres, seven aircraft hangars and a flight training centre.

Halifax Firefighter

N.S. firefighters head to Ontario as wildfires burn

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The Department of Natural Resources says about 20 firefighters have been deployed to assist with wildfires in Ontario, along with leadership personnel who will help coordinate operations on the ground.

The deployment is part of Canada’s mutual aid system, which allows provinces and territories to share resources during emergencies.

DNR officials say the effort reflects the strong partnerships, expertise, and dedication of firefighters across the country.

Fort Frances Fire 4_Aerial Photo

Five new wildfires reported in northwestern Ontario as dry conditions persist

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Dry conditions continue across Northwestern Ontario as the region’s active wildfire count climbs to 110.

Five new fires were discovered Tuesday night between Thunder Bay and Kenora, with two currently listed as not under control.

Fire crews say several large fire clusters remain their biggest concern, including the Rinker Lake Complex and the Atikokan Cluster.

Evacuation orders remain in effect in affected areas as firefighters continue working to contain the blazes.

Crews say the ongoing dry weather is continuing to create challenging conditions for suppression efforts.

Forest Fire MNR Water bomber 2

Evacuation alert for area along Ontario-Minnesota border lifted

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The Ministry of Natural Resources says a fire burning in the southern end of Quetico Park is no longer a public safety concern.

The fire, which originated near Agnes Lake on July 20th, has consumed 25,279 hectares and remains not under control.

It also burned into Minnesota.

The fire, though, has not grown in several days.

As a result, an evacuation alert issued for the Saganaga Lake area along the Ontario-Minnesota border has been lifted.

The area is a popular spot for canoeists using the all-water route from Lake Superior to Lake of the Woods.

Restrictions remain in place for other fires in the area.

Map showing location of Fort Frances 13, a wildland fire burning at the southern end of Quetico Provincial Park, August 6, 2026. Ministry of Natural Resources Forest Fire info map screen shot
Fort Frances Fire 4_Aerial Photo

Wildfire activity remains steady across northwestern Ontario

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There have been no major changes reported in the wildfire situation across northwestern Ontario, although recent rainfall has helped slow fire growth in some areas, according to the government’s Forest Fire Information Map.

The Ministry of Natural Resources reported just two new wildfire starts on Tuesday, August 5. One of those fires has already been declared out, while the other is being held near Thunder Bay.

There are currently about 113 active wildfires burning across the region.

Officials say 17 of those fires remain not under control, while firefighters continue suppression efforts and monitor conditions.

Residents are encouraged to stay informed on local fire conditions and follow any advisories or restrictions that may be in place.

Birdog and CL-415-1

Lightning strikes sparking new wildland fires in northwestern Ontario

Another eight new starts in northwestern Ontario, but the number of active fires has dropped to 127.

Of those fires, 30 remain not under control, six others are being held, five are listed as under control, and 86 are being observed.

The eight new fires include Thunder Bay 71 (THU071), which is located near Muskeg Lake, approximately 17 kilometres northeast of Highway 17. The 0.1-hectare fire is not under control.

Thunder Bay 72 (THU072) is located near the southeast end of Lac des Mille Lacs, approximately 15 kilometres north of Highway 11. The 0.1-hectare fire is not under control.

Thunder Bay 73 (THU073) is located approximately two kilometres southeast of Combe Lake and east of Hunkin Lake. The 0.1-hectare fire is not under control.

Sioux Lookout 113 (SLK113) is located approximately 1.5 kilometres southwest of Patte Lake. The 1.0-hectare fire is being observed.

Nipigon 89 (NIP089) is located approximately 1.5 kilometres west of Rocke Lake. The 0.2-hectare fire is not under control.

Nipigon 90 (NIP090) is located approximately five kilometres southwest of Nonwatin Lake and north of Shillabeer Lake. The 0.1-hectare fire is not under control.

Nipigon 91 (NIP091) is located near Highway 11, approximately three kilometers northwest of Longlac Bay. The 0.2-hectare fire is not under control.

Nipigon 92 (NIP092) is located east of Long Lake and northwest of Spider Lake. The fire is 0.2 hectares and not under control.

Many of the new starts are the result of lightning strikes from storms that passed through the region earlier this week.

On the major fires still active, additional crews were assigned to the fires burning in the Wabikimi Provincial Park area.

The Ministry of Natural Resources’ Aviation, Forest Fire and Emergency Services says the fires have exhibited an increase in fire behaviour over the past few days, with the largest fire now listed at 307,271 hectares.

Aerial suppression efforts continue, while ground crews extinguish hot spots.

Fires burning around Lac Des Milles Lac and in the northern part of Quetico Provincial Park have exhibited relatively low fire behaviour and have not expanded in recent weeks.

Firefighting crews are working to put out hot spots on both fires with aerial support from helicopters.

redditt forest fire

Active wildland fires falls to over 110 in northwestern Ontario

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There are still more than 2,000 people living in temporary accommodations because of the wildland fires burning in northwestern Ontario.

Fourteen communities were evacuated, many of which are First Nations.

Emergency Preparedness Minister Jill Dunlop says five have since been allowed to return home.

She says residents from another community are preparing to return in the coming days.

“Approximately 2,014 people remain evacuated to host communities across the province,” says Dunlop.

“I want to thank those host communities for raising their hand and welcoming evacuees to ensure they have the essentials that they need.”

There are still more than 110 active fires in northwestern Ontario.

There were three new fires reported on Wednesday, all small in size.

The blazes were located approximately 7 kilometres west of Highway 599 between Paguchi Lake and Victory Lake, near the north shore of Clytie Bay in Shoal Lake and in Lac Seul First Nation, between English River and Upper Grassy Bay.

Cool, wet weather is helping Ministry of Natural Resources wildland firefighters get the upper hand with suppression efforts.

Natural Resources Minister Mike Harris says over 80 have been extinguished in the last two weeks.

“There has been minimal growth on some of the more challenging fires in the northwest, like the largest fire that we’ve seen, which is Thunder Bay 36,” says Harris.

“The crews have made progress in constructing fire guards and doing values protection on this fire, like setting up sprinkler systems. In the Atikokan cluster near Quetico Park, we’re making good progress in containing those fires as well.”

Ontario continues to receive help from other provinces.

Prince Edward Island deployed ten firefighters, while Newfoundland/Labrador provided two support staff.

Alberta sent five more wildland fire specialists, increasing the support it previously committed.

New Brunswick also shipped 75 pumps for use along the fire lines.

Ontario now has 259 firefighters and 36 support personnel from outside the province working alongside MNR Fire Rangers, including 104 Mexican firefighters and support staff that arrived this week.

“One hundred and fifty-six Ontario fire crews are on the ground supported by over 140 aircraft, including 85 suppression helicopters and water bombers across the province of Ontario,” adds Harris.

Four waterbombers, five helicopters and three support aircraft from other provinces are also being utilized.

Campfire supplied by VNP

Campfires allowed again in Koochiching County

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Campfires are being allowed again in certain areas of northern Minnesota.

The state’s Department of Natural Resources is lifting Class four restrictions in several counties, including Koochiching.

This allows for campfires and recreational fires on private land, resorts and staffed campgrounds.

The DNR says the area received recent rain from storms that passed through, but not enough to fully reduce the fire danger.

As a result, Class III restrictions will remain in place for Cook, Lake, and northern St. Louis counties on non Tribal lands.

This prohibits campfires for remote, backpacking, or backcountry camping and on state lands, including campgrounds, state day-use or recreational areas, or backpacking sites in state parks.

“DNR deeply appreciates the support from Minnesotans during this unprecedented wildfire event,” states Patty Thielen, DNR Forestry Division Director, in a release.

“Everyone’s efforts to follow wildfire-related restrictions and to stay safe are a huge help to the crews working to suppress the fires.”

A fire ban remains in place within the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.

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