As of 11:00 July 20, 2026 Highway 599 is open to public travel; however, motorists are reminded that wildfires remain active in the area and the fires are not out.
Conditions have improved sufficiently to allow the highway to reopen, but fire behaviour and smoke conditions can change rapidly. If conditions deteriorate, the highway may be closed again with little notice to ensure public and firefighter safety.
Fire Update (July 18, 2026): Due to current wildfire conditions, access through the road closure area will be provided by MNR-escorted convoy only. There will be two (2) escorted trips per day.
SOUTHBOUND
• Trip 1: Departs 10:30AM – meet at Airport Road / HWY 599 (Pickle Lake)
• Trip 2: Departs 8:30PM (20:30) – meet at Airport Road / HWY 599 (Pickle Lake)
NORTHBOUND
• Trip 1: Departs 7:00AM – meet at HWY 599 / HWY 516 Junction
• Trip 2: Departs 6:00PM (18:00) – meet at HWY 599 / HWY 516 Junction
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
• If you miss a scheduled departure, you must wait for the next scheduled escort trip.
• Traffic will be one-way only during escort operations. No two-way traffic will be permitted.
• Do not pass the pilot vehicle at any time.
• Travel is at your own risk.
• Escort trips may be cancelled or modified without notice due to changing wildfire conditions and operational requirements.
Please plan accordingly and monitor for further updates.
Our Chief Building Official, Jody Brinkman, will be in Pickle Lake at the Township Office on Monday, July 27th. For appointments, please call 807-323-4034 or email cbo@picklelake.org
Fire Update (July 15, 2026 at 5:03PM): All of the fires around Mishkeegogamang and Pickle Lake are not currently threatening the community, the direction of spread today is to the southeast.
• SLK 74 has had a helicopter bucketing on it
• SLK 88 is burning across from Dog Hole Bay. It has 2 crews actively supressing the fire and had a helicopter bucketing this morning. No problems currently anticipated. The current size of the fire is 2.5 ha.
• SLK 89 north of Saugeen and SLK 86 burned across the highway yesterday. The highway is closed to non-emergency traffic.
MNR will continue to provide updates to the Township of Pickle Lake on the current fire conditions and road closures. Please stay informed and stay safe.
Please be advised that ServiceOntario will be temporarily closed on Thursday, July 23rd due to short staffing and will remain closed until Wednesday, July 29th.
ServiceOntario offers more than 55 services online, including health card, driver’s licence and licence plate renewal, address change and more.
ServiceOntario Closure Read More »
