New wildland fire near Sudbury reported as ‘being held’; region monitoring 44 active blazes
A new wildland fire has been reported in the Sudbury area and is currently being held, provincial forest-fire authorities say. The fire, identified as Sudbury 53, covers an area of about 1.2 hectares and is located approximately 1.7 kilometres east of Highway 69 and 3 kilometres south of Dodd Lake.
Forest Fire and Emergency Services in the Northeast Region said Wednesday they are tracking 44 active wildland fires across the region. Of those, most are classified as being observed; specifically:
- 1 not under control
- 2 being held
- 3 under control
- 38 being observed
The Sudbury 53 fire was reported on Wednesday and is listed in the held category. Fires classified as being held are contained to a limited area and are not currently spreading, though crews continue to monitor and manage them.
"The fire is being held."
Officials reiterated standard precautions for anyone planning outdoor burning, and advised residents to consider alternatives to burning yard waste and woody debris, such as composting or using local landfill services. The province’s Outdoor Burning Regulations set out rules for safe ignition and extinguishing times and required tools or water to keep a fire contained.
Key elements of the Outdoor Burning Regulations noted by Forest Fire and Emergency Services include:
- Ignition no sooner than two hours before sunset.
- Extinguish no later than two hours after sunrise.
- Have adequate tools and water on hand to contain the fire at the site.
To help residents understand the broader situation, the province publishes an online summary of new and active fires and restricted fire zones. The Northeast Region encouraged the public to follow Ontario’s forest-fire accounts for updates and prevention tips: @ONforestfires and @ONfeudeforet on Facebook, Instagram and X, in both English and French.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Fire name | Sudbury 53 |
| Size | 1.2 hectares |
| Location | 1.7 km east of Highway 69; 3 km south of Dodd Lake |
| Region active fires | 44 |
Residents who observe a wildland fire are asked to report it promptly. The province has different reporting numbers depending on location relative to the French and Mattawa rivers:
- To report a wildland fire located north of the French and Mattawa rivers: 310-FIRE.
- To report a wildland fire located south of the French or Mattawa rivers: 9-1-1.
For more detailed information on the current wildland fire situation, restricted zones and prevention guidance, the province directs the public to www.ontario.ca/forestfire. Local officials and provincial crews continue to monitor Sudbury 53 and the wider Northeast Region fire situation as conditions evolve.
Southern and urban residents often feel distant from the realities of wildland fire season that affect northern and rural communities, but a blaze close to Highway 69 — a primary corridor through the region — is a reminder that those risks can intersect with transportation routes and recreational areas. Authorities’ messages stress prevention, timely reporting and adherence to the Outdoor Burning Regulations to limit additional starts during a busy season for forest fires.
