Fire News

City to Host Poplar Hill First Nation Forest Fire Evacuees

Posted on Sunday, July 11, 2021 11:15 AM

The City of Thunder Bay is preparing to receive evacuees from Poplar Hill First Nation today due to the close proximity of the 350 hectare forest fire, RED065, which began on July 5, and is currently burning 10 km west of the community and poses an immediate threat to public safety.

Up to 300 members of the community’s vulnerable population will be arriving in Thunder Bay this afternoon. This is an evolving situation that does require the evacuation of the entire community due to the forest fire threat....

Outdoor Fire Ban to Take Effect in Thunder Bay

Posted on Friday, July 09, 2021 11:30 AM

Thunder Bay Fire Rescue has issued a fire ban on all open and recreational burning within the city of Thunder Bay effective midnight tonight. This ban on outdoor burning is consistent with the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry’s Restricted Fire Zone declaration.

Residents are reminded that all burning permits are suspended when a fire ban is in effect. Any open burning during a fire ban will result in prosecution and substantial fine. This fire ban will be lifted when weather conditions...

Change in Hours for Outdoor Burning

Posted on Friday, April 30, 2021 05:15 AM

Starting on May 1, outdoor burning hours will revert to the pre-pandemic, original permitted hours of 5 pm to 12 am daily after being extended on a short-term basis.

“The outdoor burning hours were extended from 12 pm to 12 am to allow families to have fires during the day while it was still light out,” said Fire Chief Greg Hankkio. “We’re going back to original hours as the days are becoming longer.”

He added that residents should still be following all Public Health guidelines, including...

Death Prompts Warning from Thunder Bay Fire Rescue

Posted on Tuesday, April 20, 2021 10:30 AM

Thunder Bay Fire Rescue is reminding residents of the potential risks of fractal wood burning after they responded to a medical call on the weekend for an electrocution death caused by the process.

Fractal wood burning, also called Lichtenberg, is an artistic process that burns lightning or tree-like figures into wood using high-electricity voltage generators or similar components. The wood is soaked with a chemical solution.

There are hundreds of instructional videos on YouTube that provide step-by-step...

City Requests Provincial Assistance to Support Efforts

Posted on Tuesday, February 02, 2021 07:30 AM

The City of Thunder Bay has requested immediate assistance from the Province for additional funding, support for staffing and social services for individuals experiencing homelessness and precariously housed in Thunder Bay.

To support the City’s request for assistance, the Mayor is declaring a state of emergency specific to health and social services in relation to COVID-19 as it pertains to isolation supports required for vulnerable populations, such as people who are homeless or use the community’s...