Ontario Wildfire and Evacuation Update: Active Fires, Alerts and Travel Safety

• Ontario reported 65 active wildland fires in its Northeast and Northwest regions as of the evening of September 6, 2026.
• The province reported no current provincial Restricted Fire Zone restrictions, but municipal fire bans and local evacuation orders may still apply.
• Residents and travellers should check the official fire map, local emergency alerts, Ontario 511 and air-quality conditions before heading out.

Ontario wildfire update for September 7, 2026

Ontario continues to manage significant wildfire activity, particularly in the northern part of the province. The latest provincial update, issued on September 6, reported eight active wildland fires in the Northeast Region and 57 in the Northwest Region, for a combined total of 65 active fires.

No new wildland fires were confirmed in either region during the September 6 update. In the Northeast, two fires were under control and six were being observed. In the Northwest, six fires were being held, 14 were under control and 37 were being observed.

Ontario also reported 780 wildland fires inside the province’s fire region during the 2026 season, compared with 531 at the same point in 2025 and a 10-year average of 664.

Are there evacuation orders or alerts in Ontario?

Evacuation orders and alerts are generally issued by the affected municipality, First Nation or local emergency-management authority. They can change quickly as fire behaviour, wind and road access change, so residents should not rely on an older social-media post or a general provincial update.

If you are in or near a wildfire-affected community, check your local authority’s emergency notices and follow any evacuation instruction immediately. An evacuation alert means you should be ready to leave; an evacuation order means you should leave as directed and use the route identified by emergency officials.

Ontario’s provincial wildfire page also directs affected residents to 211 Ontario for non-emergency information about available supports and services.

Contact 211 Ontario for local support and services ↗

Check Ontario wildfire activity and local evacuation information ↗

Current fire restrictions and campfire rules

Ontario’s latest provincial update reported that there were no provincial Restricted Fire Zone restrictions in effect as of September 6. That does not automatically mean every campfire or outdoor burn is permitted.

Municipalities can impose their own bans or restrictions, and those rules may remain in place even when the province has no Restricted Fire Zone. Provincial parks may also issue park-specific fire bans or restrictions.

Ontario’s legislated fire season runs from April 1 through October 31. During that period, anyone lighting an outdoor fire is responsible for tending, controlling and fully extinguishing it. In areas where the provincial rules apply, fires generally must be started no earlier than two hours before sunset and extinguished no later than two hours after sunrise, unless different requirements apply.

Before lighting a campfire or burning brush, check both the provincial fire-restriction page and your municipality’s rules. When conditions are dry or windy, the safest choice is to avoid an outdoor fire altogether.

Check current Ontario outdoor fire restrictions ↗

What this means for travel in northern Ontario

Wildfire activity does not automatically close every highway or cancel every trip, but conditions can change with little notice. Smoke can reduce visibility, and fires may lead to temporary road closures, restricted access or evacuation-related detours.

Before travelling, check Ontario 511 for highway closures, construction, collisions, cameras and other travel information. If officials close a road, do not drive around barricades or use an unverified back road as an alternative.

Travellers heading to a provincial park, lodge or remote campground should also confirm that the destination is open and that any local fire ban has not changed. A provincial fire update is useful background, but it is not a substitute for checking the specific community or park you plan to visit.

Check Ontario 511 road conditions and closures ↗

Wildfire smoke and air quality

Smoke conditions can be poor even when a fire is far away. Wind may carry smoke into communities that are not directly threatened by flames, and conditions can improve or worsen during the same day.

People with asthma, heart or lung disease, older adults, pregnant people, children and anyone who develops symptoms from smoke should reduce outdoor exertion when air quality deteriorates. Move strenuous activities indoors, keep windows and doors closed when practical, and use a properly fitted N95 respirator if outdoor exposure is unavoidable.

Air quality maps can help, but local conditions may vary between monitoring stations. Check the location closest to you rather than relying only on a regional colour or a report from another city.

Check wildfire smoke and air quality near you ↗

What to do if you are told to evacuate

Leave immediately when emergency officials issue an evacuation order. Do not wait for visible flames or for conditions to become smoky at your home.

• Take medications, identification, cash, chargers, important documents and several days of clothing.
• Bring pets and make arrangements for livestock if you have time and it is safe to do so.
• Close windows and doors, turn off air conditioning and follow the designated evacuation route.
• Tell a trusted contact where you are going, and avoid blocking roads needed by emergency crews.
• Keep your vehicle fuelled when wildfire activity is nearby, especially in remote areas with limited services.

If you see a new wildland fire, report it promptly. In northern Ontario’s fire regions, call 310-FIRE. South of the French and Mattawa rivers, call 911.

What happens next

Ontario’s wildfire situation can change with weather, wind and new fire discoveries. The province’s fire page provides updated regional activity reports, active-fire mapping and information about restrictions. Local emergency authorities remain the best source for evacuation orders, reception centres and community-specific instructions.

For September 7, the practical next step is simple: check the fire map and local emergency notices before travelling, confirm road conditions if you are driving, and monitor air quality if smoke is present.

Helpful Links

• Ontario forest fires – View the provincial wildfire map, regional fire activity, evacuation information and current fire restrictions.
• Ontario wildfire safety information – Review evacuation preparation, indoor and outdoor wildfire safety guidance and emergency information.
• Ontario outdoor fire restrictions – Check Restricted Fire Zones and understand provincial, municipal and park fire-ban rules.
• Ontario 511 – Check highway closures, traffic events, road conditions, cameras and travel information.
• 211 Ontario – Find non-emergency supports and services for people affected by wildland fires.
• AirNow Fire and Smoke Map – Check wildfire smoke, fine-particle pollution, fire locations and smoke-plume information across Canada and the United States.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. How many active wildfires are burning in Ontario?

A. Ontario reported 65 active wildland fires in its September 6, 2026 update: eight in the Northeast Region and 57 in the Northwest Region. Fire numbers and status can change with each update.

Q. Are campfires currently banned across Ontario?

A. No province-wide Restricted Fire Zone was reported in the latest update, but local municipalities, provincial parks and other authorities may have their own bans or restrictions. Check the specific location before lighting any outdoor fire.

Q. Where can I check whether my Ontario community must evacuate?

A. Check your municipality, First Nation or local emergency-management authority for community-specific evacuation orders and alerts. Ontario’s wildfire information page and 211 Ontario can provide additional support information, but local authorities issue the instructions for affected communities.

Q. What number should I call to report a wildfire in Ontario?

A. Call 310-FIRE in Ontario’s northern fire regions. South of the French and Mattawa rivers, call 911. Do not approach a fire to take photos or investigate.

Q. Can I still travel through northern Ontario during wildfire season?

A. Travel may be possible, but road closures, smoke, evacuation routes and local access restrictions can change quickly. Check Ontario 511 before leaving and follow all barricades and emergency directions.