White River Fire Department

07/18/2026

Cooler temperatures and moister air are dropping smoke more to ground level. There a no closer fires around us, just temperature and air movement.

Be careful travelling and check on those with breathing issues. Try to limit time outdoors.

07/15/2026

We have issued a fire ban for the Township of White River. Please use caution on atv’s as well, as hot exhausts can cause fires.

Our fire rating is currently at extreme.

Due to the high extreme fire hazard, increased wildland fire activity, the current fire load and to reduce the number of human-caused wildland fires, the Township of White River and the White River Fire Department will be implementing a restricted Fire Zone effective immediately.

No open Air burning, including campfires, is permitted within the boundaries of a restricted Fire Zone.

07/15/2026

APH has issued a district wide air quality statement, upgraded from just White River and Wawa earlier.

Air Quality Alert: Wildfire Smoke

Update: Environment Canada’s Special Air Quality Statement now includes the entire Algoma district.

Learn more about this alert: https://ecalertme.weather.gc.ca/warning-latest_en.php?ualert_id=19242&alert_code=AQW

Tips to stay safe when the air quality is poor: https://www.algomapublichealth.com/environment-inspections/environmental-health/air-quality-and-health-wildfire-smoke/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAYnJpZBExUzdHUmdrVVNKSnkxQ3ljY3NydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR4iBOWrAcvaTxs_r3METUysgHxQzE0e_SkLetj3ZfNRAwyHupW2fZaC14KO5A_aem_cvsvAW38G8vGgyR-Hd5KSg

______

Environment Canada has issued a Special Air Quality Statement for Wawa and White River due to wildfire smoke.

Smoke from wildfires is causing poor air quality and reduced visibility. Poor air quality may persist into Thursday.

Get the latest air quality update: https://ecalertme.weather.gc.ca/warning-latest_en.php?ualert_id=19242&alert_code=AQW

Tips to stay safe when the air quality is poor: https://www.algomapublichealth.com/environment-inspections/environmental-health/air-quality-and-health-wildfire-smoke/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAYnJpZBExUzdHUmdrVVNKSnkxQ3ljY3NydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR4iBOWrAcvaTxs_r3METUysgHxQzE0e_SkLetj3ZfNRAwyHupW2fZaC14KO5A_aem_cvsvAW38G8vGgyR-Hd5KSg

07/15/2026

Please note that the smoke in the air causing the dark orange skies is smoke from west of here. Fires by Armstrong and further.

We are still perfectly safe here in White River.

Please use caution when travelling, as there is reduced visibility and wildlife is also affected by the smoke.

Please check on the elderly and people who have a hard time breathing as they may be suffering in the smoke.

Please see the fire smoke current forecast to show you where the smoke is blowing in from.

https://firesmoke.ca/forecasts/current/

07/13/2026

Orange heat warning is till in effect through Tuesday. Please don’t overexert in the heat and stay well hydrated. Make sure friends and neighbours are safe and well.

07/13/2026

Wawa 14 fire update. 4:00 pm. The fire at O’Brien is listed at 12.5 hectares and is BEING HELD. Hats off to the MNR fire crews for knocking it down in this heat!

Side note: the smoke in town is NOT from the O’Brien fire. It is coming from fires to the west. In the comments I will link the smoke forecast webpage.

07/13/2026

We are responding to wildland fire Wawa 14 which is located approximately 0.4 of a kilometre east of Highway 17 and 0.7 of a kilometre southwest of O’Brien Lakes. The fire is currently not under control at 3 hectares. Residents in the area and travellers along Highway 17 may notice smoke. Air attack operations are currently underway and FireRangers are onsite. Please stay clear of the area.

For the most up to date information, visit our fire map: https://www.lioapplications.lrc.gov.on.ca/ForestFireInformationMap/index.html?viewer=FFIM.FFIM

07/12/2026

Please use caution east of White River. There is another forest fire in the O’Brien area, but the MNR are on it with a crew and helicopters and a water bomber. We were out there earlier as MNR came in. This fire is labelled as WAW014 on the Ontario Fire Map.

The wind is currently keeping the smoke off the highway, but that can change, so please slow down when travelling and keep out of the way of the MNR fire crews.

Stopping on the sides of the highway in this area is NOT advised.

07/11/2026

Our forest fire rating has increased to extreme. Please be careful when using off road vehicles and try not to have campfires. Hopefully the rain forecasted for tomorrow will reduce the rating.

07/06/2026

There is currently a fire east of White River. Please use caution when travelling as smoke is blowing across the highway.