Evacuation continues, Sioux Lookout fire no. 35 still out of control

Evacuation plans for about 150 residents continue for a small northwestern Ontario First Nations community.

The evacuation for some residents living in Mishkeegogomang was announced Tuesday after smoke from fire Sioux Lookout 35 began flowing into the community. That fire is now 30,000-hectares in size and is still listed as not under control.

Sioux Lookout 35 is located between Albany and Wabakimi Provincial Parks near Highway 599. It is burning about 15 kilometres away from Mishkeegogomang.

But that’s not the only fire burning in the Northwest region, which still has a fire hazard rating between high and extreme. 


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Ontario's Ministry of Natural Resources confirmed Friday that seven new forest fires were reported in this region – six were reported on Thursday while one new fire was confirmed on Friday.

Fire officers and fire ranger crews have already made progress on extinguishing the new fires, and as a result only two of them are still listed as active.

Thunder Bay District Fire 22, which began on May 19 on the CN Railway line near Allanwater Bridge in the Wabakimi Provincial Park, was declared out Friday. That fire was an estimated 1,317 hectare in size.

The 12 active fires that remain in this region include: Two fires in the Fort Frances district; one fire in the Kenora district; one fire in the Thunder Bay district; three fires in the Nipigon district; two fires in the Red Lake district and three fires in the Sioux Lookout district.

The MNR is asking the public to call the forest fire information hotline – 1-888-258-8842 – for general inquires related to Sioux Lookout Fire 35.

Fire prevention information is available at ontario.ca/fireprevention.