THUNDER BAY / NORTHWEST REGION – August 25, 2026 – Ontario fire officials report 63 active wildfires across Northwestern Ontario, with several large complexes continuing to demand significant resources.
According to the latest update from Aviation, Forest Fire and Emergency Services, six fires remain not under control, four are being held, 10 are under control, and the rest are under observation. One new fire was confirmed near Pauloski Lake in the Nipigon area.
The Rinker Lake Complex — which includes Thunder Bay 36 (more than 301,000 hectares), Dryden 34 and Dryden 35 — remains one of the largest ongoing operations. Fire behaviour has been relatively low in recent days, but the sheer size of the burns means crews and aircraft continue to work the area.
The restricted fire zone and several evacuation orders were lifted last week, allowing many residents to return. Officials continue to monitor conditions closely as the fire season extends into late August.
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