Northern Ontario wildfires force hundreds to evacuate
Amateur video of waterbombers during active aerial suppression operations against the Red Lake 12 fire on May 30, 2025.
Hundreds of residents from two First Nations communities in northwest Ontario are being evacuated as wildfires continue to rage across the region, with officials warning of worsening conditions due to high winds and dry terrain.
Fire ranger using hose
An Ontario fire ranger blasts water from a hose at the perimeter of a forest firest in this undated photo. (Ministry of Natural Resources/Ontario Forest Fires/X)
The Ministry of Natural Resources reported in Friday evening's wildfire update bulletin that 14 active fires are burning in the northwest region, three of which were newly discovered. The fire hazard is classified as 'high to extreme' across much of the area, prompting the implementation of a Restricted Fire Zone in multiple districts.
For real-time fire hazard conditions, evacuation orders and burning restrictions, consult the MNR's interactive forest fire map.
Evacuations underway
Approximately 400 residents from Webequie First Nation are expected to be transported to Barrie, Ont., as part of a Phase 1 evacuation prioritizing elders, children, and individuals with medical conditions. The evacuation comes as Nipigon 5, a wildfire threatening the community, expanded to 6,986 hectares and remains not under control.
Chief Cornelius Wabasse of Webequie First Nation assured residents that leadership is working with emergency officials to ensure safety.
'I would encourage all residents of Webequie First Nation to be rest assured that we are committed to keeping our residents informed and safe,' Wabasse said in a May 30 news release. 'We will work with partners and government to ensure our needs are met, both in the community and at the evacuation site.'
— A statement issued by Cornelius Wabasse, Chief of Webquie First Nation
Meanwhile, Deer Lake First Nation declared a full evacuation due to the Red Lake 12 fire, which has grown to 9,616 hectares and is encroaching on the community.
Fire rangers with hose pack
Two Ontario fire rangers, one with a hose pack on their back, walk through a forested area recently impacted by wildland fire in this undated photo. (Ministry of Natural Resources/Ontario Forest Fires/X)
Fire ranger crews are laying hose lines and conducting aerial suppression, but smoke is expected to impact the area throughout the weekend.
Political calls for increased support
Sol Mamakwa, Ontario NDP Deputy Leader and MPP for Kiiwetinoog, whose riding includes the two First Nation communities being evacuated, urged the provincial government to expedite support for evacuees and firefighters.
Sol Mamakwa
Sol Mamakwa, Ontario MPP for the riding of Kiiwetinoong, leaves the stage after speaking to supporters at the Ontario NDP Leadership showcase in Toronto on Saturday February 4, 2023. (Chris Young/The Canadian Press)
'My thoughts are with the community members from Deer Lake First Nation and Webequie First Nation as they begin their evacuations,' Mamakwa said in a statement on Friday.
'I am calling on the Government of Ontario to fully support the communities... in their evacuations and eventual return.'
He has also been critical of recent budget cuts to wildland firefighting, citing a $42 million reduction in emergency firefighting funds in his news release.
Other fires of concern
Kenora 20, spanning 34,008 hectares (including a Manitoba portion), remains uncontained. Fire crews are managing hotspots with helicopter bucketing operations.
Kenora 20 - fire
An aerial view of smoke from the Kenora 20 wildland fire on May 24, 2025. (Ministry of Natural Resources/Ontario Forest Fires/X)
Kenora 14 is being held at 1,607 hectares, while Sioux Lookout 3 and Fort Frances 4 are also under control but still active.
Kenora 14 - smoke
Smoke rising from Kenora 14 file on May 9, 2025. (Ministry of Natural Resources/Ontario Forest Fires/X)
Travel and land use restrictions
The MNR has issued Implementation Orders restricting travel, waterway use, and Crown land access in fire-affected zones, including:
A complete evacuation order for areas near the Kenora 32 fire.
Road closures near Kenora 20 and Kenora 14, with permits required for authorized travel.
A closed road with traffic barriers setup by the Ministry of Natural Resouces - undated
A closed road with traffic barriers setup by the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resouces is shown in this undated photo. (Ministry of Natural Resources/Ontario Forest Fires/X)
Ongoing firefighting efforts
Aircraft, including waterbombers and helicopters, are actively suppressing fires near Webequie and Deer Lake. An Incident Management Team has been deployed to oversee the Red Lake 12 response.
Twin Otter water bomber
An undated photo Twin Otter water bomber aircraft during an active fire surpression operation. (Ministry of Natural Resources/Ontario Forest Fires/X)
Officials warn that high winds and dry conditions could exacerbate fire growth in the coming days. Updates on evacuation logistics and fire status are being shared via the MNR's interactive fire map and community bulletins.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CBC
35 minutes ago
- CBC
Israel recovers bodies of Canadian Israeli Judih Weinstein-Haggai and husband held by Hamas
Israel's military recovered the bodies of two hostages, Canadian Israeli Judih Weinstein-Haggai and her husband, Israeli American Gadi Haggai, who were held by Hamas, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Thursday. The Israeli army said in a statement that the bodies of the husband and wife were recovered in a special operation from Khan Younis area in the Gaza Strip. "Together with all the citizens of Israel, my wife and I extend our heartfelt condolences to the dear families. Our hearts ache for the most terrible loss. May their memory be blessed," Netanyahu said in a statement. Kibbutz Nir Oz announced the deaths of Weinstein-Haggai, 70, and Haggai, 72, both of whom had Israeli and U.S. citizenship, in December 2023. The Israeli military said they were killed in the Oct. 7, 2023 attack and taken into Gaza by the Mujahideen Brigades, the small armed group that it said had also abducted and killed Shiri Bibas and her two small children. Weinstein-Haggai grew up in Canada and held Canadian and U.S. citizenship. She was born in New York state but moved to Toronto at the age of three, and then moved to Israel 20 years later to live with Haggai. She was a mother of four and a grandmother of seven. Following the recovery of two bodies, 56 hostages are still held by Hamas, with fewer than half believed to be alive, according to Israeli estimates. Israel launched its military campaign in Gaza following the Oct. 7 assault in which Hamas-led gunmen killed 1,200 people and took 251 hostages, by Israeli tallies. In the subsequent fighting, more than 54,000 Palestinians have been killed, local health authorities say.
CBC
an hour ago
- CBC
Thunder Bay Public Library appoints Indigenous relations advisor
The Thunder Bay Public Library has appointed Stephanie MacLaurin as its new senior advisor of Indigenous relations, a key leadership role aimed at advancing the library's commitment to reconciliation and the decolonization of public spaces. MacLaurin, who is Anishinaabe from Fort William First Nation and a lifelong resident of Westfort, brings more than eight years of professional experience to the position. Their background includes work in governance, Indigenous political science, mental health and post-secondary education. In the new role, MacLaurin will oversee the Indigenous Services Department. They will liaise with the Indigenous Advisory Council and other community partners. Their work will support the implementation of the library's Relationship-Building and Reconciliation Action Plan, which was developed in 2018 with guidance from the advisory council. The plan outlines the library's commitment to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Calls to Action and a broader effort to decolonize library practices and spaces. That includes providing educational resources, supporting Indigenous knowledge preservation and reviewing library policies. "A new job isn't just a fresh start," says MacLaurin. "It's the opening chapter of a story waiting to be written with passion, purpose and possibility. Stepping into this new role feels like stepping into the life I've been working towards." MacLaurin says they were drawn to the role by its emphasis on community engagement, something they missed in a previous position. "When I moved into my last position that I left for this job, I lost that kind of community component," they said. "I found myself looking at a role that was possibly all-encompassing for the interests that I have in my life right now." MacLaurin said the role immediately clicked for them. They have already identified three early priorities a few weeks into the role: strategic planning for the Indigenous Services Department; building relationships with Indigenous organizations and leadership; and contributing to policy analysis alongside library management. MacLaurin emphasized the importance of libraries being welcoming, inclusive spaces for Indigenous community members and organizations. "I found myself at Mary J. and Brodie a lot throughout my years, sitting at the table, doing research here, whether it was writing, finding the peace that you get within a library. So I would hope that this is something that Indigenous people could experience here and that they're finding peace and comfort." Raili Roy, director of community development at the library, said the team is excited to welcome MacLaurin. "They stood out as an exceptional candidate," Roy said. "We feel very fortunate to have the opportunity to work with them. We have much meaningful and rewarding work ahead." MacLaurin replaces Robyn Medicine who held the role for nearly a decade. Medicine passed away in February. During her time in the role, Medicine established Indigenous Knowledge Centres across all branches. "Robyn did an incredible job in this role and she has so much love from the community," they said. MacLaurin isn't sure yet which programs created by Medicine will remain. "But I really couldn't imagine just removing all of the hard work that she did." MacLaurin said they're hoping to build a place that is grounded in belonging, education and reconciliation.
CBC
an hour ago
- CBC
Mystery leak that forced Scarborough family from home spreads as city continues to investigate
Social Sharing A mystery leak that's forced a Scarborough family from their home for the past month appears to be spreading. Linda Mangalathu, her husband and two children discovered the flood in late April, but plumbers were unable to solve the problem, which grew for several days until the family was forced to move in with nearby relatives. Now, her next door neighbours, Bailey Panesar and his wife, report they too were flooded out by ankle deep water in their basement on May 24. "I was bringing up 20 or 30 buckets of water, running up and down the stairs," Panesar told CBC Toronto of the night his basement flooded. "Nothing helped." Across the street, a third homeowner on Shadowood Court, in the Highway 401 and Morningside Avenue area, said she began experiencing smelly, murky tap water just this week. "I'm nervous," Elenita Sarcilla told CBC Toronto. She said she's worried about what could become of her home after what happened to neighbour Mangalathu's property, which is still marred by a large and growing excavation in the middle of her front yard. That has now been expanded by contractors to include about a third of Panesar's driveway. City media relations manager Russell Baker said in an email that city crews are busy shoring up the pit in Managalathu's front yard, while trying to pin down a break in the storm sewer line that connects Mangathalu's house to the municipal sewer system. That clogged storm sewer pipe was discovered at the beginning of May, but contractors have told CBC Toronto there have been problems discovering exactly where the break is. Besides, they've said, there's no guarantee that the broken pipe is causing the flooding. City engineers are trying to determine the best way to find and repair the break in the pipe safely, says Baker. "Once the City's work on the utility infrastructure is complete, the City will complete restoration of the City's lands adjacent to the homeowner's property," Baker's email reads. As for the source of the water, Baker's email says it "appears to be groundwater." "It is the responsibility of the property owner to investigate and address any issues on the private side of the property," the email continues. Mangalathu told CBC Toronto this week that the problems have so far cost her about $50,000 and she expects that bill to rise to $70,000 once her contractor has filled in the hole in her front yard and repaired damage to neighbouring properties. That includes piles of asphalt and other construction debris on one neighbour's front yard and the damage done to Panesar's driveway. Mangalathu says only about $15,000 of that will be covered by her insurance company. Panesar said in his basement, minor flooding occurred around May 19 as contractors were excavating Mangalathu's yard next door, but quickly escalated to a serious flood over the next few days. He hired a plumbing contractor who helped pump the water out of his basement and shut off all the water to the house. Workers hired by his insurance company have now "demolished" his basement, he said, and he and his wife have moved into a hotel. All of his expenses so far have been covered by his insurance company, he said. "It was fun the first couple of nights," Panesar said of living in the hotel, "but now it's terrible. Takeout food for every meal of the day — it's definitely not a good feeling." He's also concerned about the future of the home he and his wife bought earlier this year. Although there is no water in the basement now, he worries about what will happen when the pumps are turned off and the water is turned on again. 'Complete mystery' "It's nowhere near wrapped up," he said. "It's a complete mystery." The neighbourhood's woes began on Mangalathu's property at the end of April, when she experienced something many Toronto homeowners are familiar with: a minor basement flood she initially thought required nothing more than a $300 plumber's visit. Workers discovered a leak in her sewer pipes and determined the storm sewer pipe had collapsed under the weight of wet soil —a problem they could not immediately fix, as the pipes extend out onto city property. Benjamin Sarault of Henry's Bobcat Service said he's established that the home's weeping tile system — a perforated pipe that circles a house to collect any underground water — is intact and delivering any water it catches into the storm pipe, as it should. But that damaged storm pipe could be spilling the water right back into the soil around the houses, he says. From there, the water could be making its way back through the foundation into the house, but he acknowledges that's just a guess. While Mangalathu waits for the outcome of the city's investigation and repairs, her costs are mounting and so is her stress level. She also says she's had to take time off from her job. "My life is paused; I don't know what to do next," she said Tuesday. "Frustration, stress, you name it.
