Wildfire in Quetico Provincial Park prompts closures and evacuations

An approximately 800-hectare (2,000-acre) wildfire in Quetico Provincial Park, north of the U.S./Canada border, has prompted closures and evacuations within the park.

The wildfire, designated FOR015, has prompted a temporary closure of the area after park officials announced Monday that periods of significantly increased smoke have reduced air quality in the park. The fire began on the evening of June 30.

“Public safety is our top priority,” park officials said. “We will reopen the park as soon as it is safe to do so. We will be reassessing again on July 10th, 2026, if further cancellations are required.”

The closures include lakes Olifaunt, Fern, Bud, Buckingham, Sturgeon, and stretch north to Pickerel. See a map of the closure area below. Olifaunt Lake is approximately 34 miles from Saganaga Lake towards the end of the Gunflint Trail and along the U.S./Canada border.

Closures in Quetico Provincial Park due to wildfire smoke and air quality concerns | Graphic by Quetico Provincial Park

Park officials said affected reservation holders will have the option to receive a full refund or change their entry point (subject to availability) with no penalty.

To receive a penalty-free refund, please contact the Quetico Provincial Park reservations team at 1-888-668-7275. Park officials advised permit holders not to cancel or change reservations online. For additional assistance, contact the Quetico Provincial Park Information Line at 807-597-2735.

There are several other wildfires burning within the park, and in close proximity to the U.S./Canada border. There is an 8 hectare wildfire, called FOR013, that began on June 20 near Agnes Lake that Canadian officials are monitoring. Near Louisa Lake, a 3.8 hectare wildfire, called FOR012, is also active and being observed.

For up-to-date information on this fire and others, please visit the Ministry of Natural Resources Forest Fire Info Map at www.ontario.ca/page/forest-fires

Visit https://www.ontarioparks.ca/park/quetico/alerts for updates.