Evacuations ordered due to forest fire out of control near Ontario towns

Evacuations are being ordered or recommended for residents near a forest fire burning out of control and under extreme heat warnings and an air quality statement in western Ontario.

Ontario Forest Fires issued an evacuation alert on Tuesday for residents and cottagers near Kenora, with the province saying firefighters are battling a fire dubbed KEN020 that’s seen “increased fire behaviour.”

Residents in multiple municipalities are now being “strongly encouraged to evacuate,” the province says, while others are under evacuation orders, according to firefighters.

Pellatt United Firefighters says there is an official evacuation notice in effect for Rice Lake, Malachi and Ottermere.

Other communities being encouraged to proactively evacuate include:

• Malachi Lake.
• Otter Lake.
• Mantario Lake.
• Hello Lake.
• Jadel Lake.
• Musk Lake.
• Southern reaches of Tetu Lake including Scot Bay.

The Kenora area is also under a heat warning with daytime highs between 28 C to 32 C expected on Tuesday, as well as an air quality statement due to smoke from forest fires in southeastern Manitoba and northwestern Ontario.

Residents are being encouraged to limit their time outdoors, and keep windows and doors closed while inside as much as possible.

“When there is an extreme heat event occurring with poor air quality, prioritize keeping cool,” Environment Canada says.

Evacuation Alert- Due to the evolving situation and increased fire behaviour of KEN020, residents and cottagers in the proximity of the fire are strongly encouraged to evacuate.

For full details please visit https://t.co/6v9vaEFvjs. pic.twitter.com/fXCdA0TyIF

— Ontario Forest Fires (@ONforestfires) May 13, 2025