Forest fires in northwestern Ontario: What to know

As of Wednesday night, there were 136 active wildfires in the northwest.

The fires have caused evacuations, highway and road closures, air quality warnings, event cancellations, and other issues for the communities and people in the region.

Here's what to know as the situation unfolds:

Evacuations

The following communities have been evacuated because of fire activity:

• Armstrong.

• Whitesand First Nation.

• Namaygoosisagagun First Nation (also known as Collins First Nation).

• Lac des Mille Lacs First Nation.

• Gakijiwanong Anishinaabe Nation (also known as Lac La Croix First Nation).

• Kiashke Zaaging Anishinaabek (also known as Gull Bay First Nation).

• Cat Lake.

• Ojibway Nation of Saugeen.

• Eabameetoong.

• Mishkeegogamang.

• McDowell Lake.

• 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, and White Lily Road.

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All areas on the following lakes have also been evacuated:

• Como Lake.

• Crystal Lake.

• Eva Lake.

• Magnetic Lake.

• Marion Lake.

• Mercutio Lake.

• Niobe Lake.

• Nydia Lake.

• Sapawe Lake.

• Whiskeyjack Lake.

• Windigoostigwan Lake.

A number of other communities and areas have been notified about potential evacuations, including:

• Quetico.

• Crystal Lake.

• Atikokan.

• Niobi Lake.

• Pickle Lake.

• Ignace.

• Upsala.

The Township of Gillies has declared a state of emergency due to fires within a kilometre of its border.

Wildfire smoke is seen in this photo taken between Thunder Bay and Upsala on Monday. (Sarah Law/CBC)

Fire activity

According to the province's Aviation, Forest Fire and Emergency Services (AFFES), eight new wildfires were discovered in the northwest as of Wednesday evening.

AFFES said Dryden 13 and several fires in the Thunder Bay region have merged with Thunder Bay 36, a large fire in Wabakimi.

A restricted fire zone is in effect for much of northwestern Ontario.

Municipalities in the region — including the City of Thunder Bay, Oliver Paipoonge, Neebing, and Shuniah — have also implemented fire bans.

Road closures

• Highway 527 in both directions between Gull Bay and 1st Ave and Armstrong

• Highway 599 between Highway 516 and Pickle Lake

Air quality warnings

Wildfire smoke in Thunder Bay, Ont. July 16, 2026. (The Weather Network)

Orange air quality warnings are in effect for the following areas:

• Armstrong.

• Wabakimi Park.

• Atikokan.

• Shebandowan.

• Quetico.

• Thunder Bay.

• Cloud Bay, Dorion.

• Kakabeka Falls.

• Whitefish Lake.

• Arrow Lake.

• Marathon.

• Schreiber.

• Nipigon.

• Rossport.

• Upsala.

• White River.

Yellow air quality warnings are in effect for:

• Sioux Lookout.

• Savant Lake.

• Sturgeon Lake.

• Pickle Lake.

• Cat Lake.

• Manitouwadge.

• Hornepayne.

• Gerladton.

• Longlac.

Cancellations and closures

The City of Thunder Bay has temporarily closed all outdoor pools, beaches and splash pads, the Chapples and Strathcona golf courses and all outdoor marina services.

Parks and playfields remain open, but will not be staffed while these measures are in place, and whenever possible, staff are moving programs and activities indoors.

Residential curbside garbage collection will continue, but the city said there may be delays.

Business and multi-residential garbage collection has been temporarily suspended.

Essential city services, like transit emergency services, and critical public works operations will continue without interruption.

Races scheduled for Thursday night at Thunder City Speedway have been cancelled.

Thursday's Summer in the Parking Lot concert at the Superior Inn has also been cancelled.

Thursday night's Thunder Bay Border Cats game against the Wausau Woodchucks as been postponed. The two teams are now scheduled to play a doubleheader at Port Arthur Stadium on Friday.

Firefighting assets

Ontario's Ministry of Natural Resources said on Wednesday that several hundred wildland firefighters are working in northwestern Ontario.

They're supported by nearly 50 aircraft, including waterbombers and helicopters.

The federal government has also deployed three firefighting helicopters to the region.

WATCH: Tips to help protect yourself from wildfire smoke

This article, written by Kris Ketonen, was originally published for CBC News.