Preparations under way as blaze nears Upsala
UPSALA, Ont. — Residents of the remote community of Upsala, roughly 150 kilometres northwest of Thunder Bay, have been told to leave pre-emptively as a large forest fire burns about five kilometres from town.
Local firefighters and volunteers are attempting to protect structures, installing sprinkler systems on key buildings such as the fire hall and readying equipment, but officials warn that local capacity is limited and provincial resources are in high demand across the province.
“This is only the stuff that we can move.”
The comment came from a resident who has begun loading a truck and trailer with possessions he can relocate quickly. Upsala Fire Chief Doug Kiezebrink described an urgent situation: with many simultaneous fires across the province, assistance from provincial crews is constrained.
Weather gives brief respite but threat remains
Rain fell over Upsala on the morning following the fire’s proximity reports, offering a temporary reduction in immediate fire activity. Fire officials cautioned that the rainfall may only suppress flames for a short time, and that the broader risk persists.
Chief Kiezebrink said the rain "knocked down" some of the fire’s intensity but emphasised it was only a partial reprieve.
Context: a season of intense wildfire activity
Officials say the current season has produced a high number of incidents nationwide. The large number of concurrent fires has forced authorities to prioritise where to deploy limited provincial resources, leaving northern and remote communities particularly vulnerable.
Local authorities have so far not issued a formal evacuation order for Upsala, but public messaging has shifted toward encouraging residents to leave early while roads and personal plans are less likely to be disrupted.
- Distance to blaze: ~5 km from Upsala
- Nearest major centre: Thunder Bay, ~150 km southeast
- Local actions: Sprinkler systems on structures, readiness of volunteer crews
| Metric | Detail |
|---|---|
| Fire proximity | About 5 kilometres |
| Community distance to Thunder Bay | Approximately 150 km |
| National context | Hundreds of forest fires active across Canada |
What residents should consider now
Officials recommend that residents prepare to leave at short notice. Practical steps include assembling an emergency kit, ensuring vehicles have fuel, securing important documents and identifying a destination away from the threatened area. People with limited mobility, or those requiring assistance, should communicate with local volunteers or emergency services to arrange help.
While no official evacuation order had been posted at the time of reporting, the message from local leaders was clear: leave before conditions deteriorate and roads become congested or impassable. The situation remains fluid, and residents are advised to monitor local channels for updates from municipal and provincial authorities.
InfoRadar will continue to follow developments and provide updates as officials release new information.
