Here's the latest on northwestern Ontario's forest fires: Friday, July 24

Here's the latest on northwestern Ontario's forest fires: Friday, July 24

MNR: 139 active wildfires burning in northwestern Ontario, reports "minimal fire behaviour" in recent days

There are 139 active wildfires burning in northwestern Ontario, with 30 listed as not under control, according to the latest update from the Ministry of Natural Resources.

The ministry also reported on Thursday that pressure has seemed to have eased a bit, noting how "minimal fire behaviour has been observed in recent days."

Evacuation orders or alerts remain in effect for areas near the following fires:

The largest wildfire in the region, known as Thunder Bay 36, remains out of control and spans more than 315,000 hectares.

The Ministry of Natural Resources says the Thunder Bay – Ignace District has invoked an Implementation Order for areas near Dryden 36, for the purposes of public safety and fire suppression.

An implementation order allows the ministry to issue formal, legally binding orders that restrict activities and manage access inside emergency boundaries.

"Even when fire behaviour looks minimal, large wildland fires may remain classified as NUC [not under control] for longer because it takes time to ensure the entire perimeter is contained," the ministry noted on Thursday.

"We advise the public to stay clear of all active fires in their area. Doing so will interfere with ongoing suppression efforts and could put FireRangers and aircraft at risk."

The Pan Canadian Aerial Asset Program managed by the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre have sent two Q400 airtankers and a birddog to help in the region.

Forest fire danger ratings are mostly low or moderate across the northwest.

However, there are numerous pockets of high hazard throughout the region, including near Thunder Bay, Fort Frances, Kenora, Ignace, Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug, and Marten Falls First Nation.

According to the province's interactive highway map, the closure of Highway 527 at Kiashke Zaaging Anishinaabek — Gull Bay First Nation — remains in effect and is still extended to the Highway 811 junction.

Highway 811 is also closed due to ongoing wildfire activity, with the exception of local traffic evacuating the area.

The First Nation remains under a mandatory evacuation order after lightning brought the total number of wildfires surrounding the community to six, according to a release issued by the community early Tuesday morning.

The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) urge people for their safety and the safety of emergency responders to:

No new fires were reported in the northeast on Thursday.

There are 40 active wildfires in the northeast region as of Thursday evening. Of these, two are not under control, one is being held, four are under control, and the rest are being observed.

Forest fire danger ratings are mostly low to moderate across the northeast, with a pocket of high hazard in the Greater Sudbury area.

There are now more than 2,800 wildfire evacuees from more than a dozen communities across the province, according to an update issued by Ontario's Minister of Emergency Preparedness and Response, Jill Dunlop, late Wednesday afternoon.

They are staying in eight official host communities.

There have been four Ontario Corps partners and 17 Ontario Corps volunteers sent to help. As well, the province says the following equipment/supplies have been provided:

As part of these efforts, Feed Ontario and the Ontario Federation of Indigenous Friendship Centres are shipping and distributing food to evacuees. GlobalMedic has also delivered essential supplies to the evacuation reception centre at the Fort William Gardens Arena in Thunder Bay.

Thunder Bay transitions to 'enhanced monitoring'

The City of Thunder Bay has moved from active emergency co-ordination to enhanced monitoring, "as wildfire conditions across northwestern Ontario remain serious but stable ... and no new evacuations are anticipated at this time, " the city said in an update late Wednesday afternoon.

"The city stands ready to assist, should additional support be required."

How to reduce wildfire risk and the likelihood of property damage in Thunder Bay, Ont.

Residents are encouraged to take steps to reduce wildfire risk around their homes and properties by following FireSmart principles, including:

More information about FireSmart practices is available at www.firesmartcanada.ca.

With files from Sarah Law and Amy Hadley