Crews are continuing to fight two out-of-control forest fires in the Kawarthas region, one just east of Burnt River in Kawartha Lakes and the other in Mamora and Lake in Hastings County.
The Burnt Lake forest fire, which the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) has labelled HAL019, is located south of Kinmount. It started at 5:03 p.m. on Saturday (August 9) and has since grown from five to 27 hectares in size.
A media release on Sunday from the City of Kawartha Lakes is urging residents and visitors to avoid the Burnt River area. A road closure remains in effect on County Road 49 between County Road 121 and Bury’s Green until further notice.
Fire crews from three Kawartha Lakes Fire Rescue Service stations are on scene, supported by the Trent Lakes Fire Service and multiple MNR crews from the Haliburton fire management area. Additional resources, including crews from North Bay, are also being deployed to assist.
Aerial water support including water bombers resumed on Sunday, targeting the most active fire zones. Tanker trucks are drawing water from local lakes to supplement firefighting efforts on the ground.
While the cause of the fire is not yet known, it is burning in a heavily wooded area where ice storm damage has left hazardous terrain that makes hose deployment especially challenging. Safety remains the highest priority for all crews on scene.
VIDEO: Update on HAL019 fire by Patrick Porzuczek
Posted by Patrick Porzuczek on Sunday, August 10, 2025
According to the City of Kawartha Lakes, no evacuation is necessary at this time. However, conditions are being monitored closely and will be updated on Monday.
With three significant fires in the past week and extremely dry conditions straining firefighting resources, Kawartha Lakes is reminding all residents a total fire ban is in effect across the City of Kawartha Lakes.
If you see smoke, report it immediately to Kawartha Lakes Fire Rescue at 705-324-2191.
Meanwhile, the Hastings County forest fire, which the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) has labelled HAL018, also continues to burn out of control.
Located on Crown land in the Municipality of Marmora and Lake south of Coe Hill in Wollaston Township and east of Apsley in North Kawartha Township, the fire started at 11:42 a.m. on Saturday and is 11 hectares in size.
In a social media post, the Municipality of Marmora and Lake has advised that MNR has four crews on the ground and water bombers are also being deployed. As water bombers need to collect water from nearby lakes, residents are being advised to move watercraft off lakes to give space to the aircraft.
In another social media post, Wollaston Township is urging all residents to refrain from using watercraft on Wollaston Lake until further notice, as water bombers may need to access the lake.
kawarthaNOW has learned that owners of hunt camps in proximity to the HAL018 fire have been advised to collect their valuables and vacate the area.
All municipalities are reminding residents not to operate drones within nine kilometres active fire areas. Not only is it illegal, but it poses serious risks to both aerial and ground crews. To avoid the risk of a collision, water bombers will not fly if a drone is in the area.
Two other forest fires, labelled HAL016 and HAL017, near Head Lake east of Norland in Kawartha Lakes have been contained and are under control.
