Latest news with #Cochrane
CTV News
17 hours ago
- Climate
- CTV News
Wildfire activity persists in northern Ontario
Ontario's Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) continues to monitor wildfires across the province, with varying conditions in the northeast and northwest regions. While some fires have been brought under control, others remain active, prompting ongoing suppression efforts and precautionary measures. 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) Northeast region The northeast region reports two active wildfires, with one recently contained. Sudbury 13, a 0.5-hectare fire near Wikwemikong that was identified on Saturday, was declared out Sunday morning. Cochrane 2, an 8-hectare fire northwest of Attawapiskat, is now under control. Cochrane 3, burning 48 kilometres west of Attawapiskat, remains not under control at 150 hectares. Though the MNR confirms no immediate threats to communities or infrastructure at this time. Cochrane 2 & 3 Fires An aerial view of active Cochrane district fires on May 29, 2023. (Ministry of Natural Resources/Ontario Forest Fires/X) The fire hazard ranges from low to moderate across most of the region, though Onaping Falls and Elliot Lake face a high hazard rating. Northwest region The northwest region remains a focal point, with 15 active fires and persistent high-risk conditions. New fires Thunder Bay 15, a 0.1-hectare fire on Thompson Island, is not yet under control. Nipigon 8, near Fort Hope First Nation, was contained Sunday morning at 0.2 hectares. Major Fires Red Lake 12 has been remapped to 12,559 hectares. An Ontario Incident Management Team is leading suppression, with crews prioritizing Deer Lake First Nation's protection. 'Winds were favourable today, helping fire crews make good progress,' the Aviation, Forest Fire and Emergency Services said in its update on Saturday evening. 'Fire ranger crews continue to make good progress on values protection. Fire crews have established hose lines on the east side of the community.' Red Lake 12 - May 30 CL415s and lead birddog aircraft performed aerial fire suppression to support crews on the ground battling a 9,617 hectare fire in northwestern Ontarion near Deer Lake First Nation on May 30, 2025. This image shows an aerial view of the smoke coming off of the Red Lake 12 wildfire on May 30, 2025. (Ministry of Natural Resources/Ontario Forest Fires/X | Photo Credit: Eli Leatherdale) Nipigon 5 remains out of control and now measures more than 7,506 hectares, with firefighters establishing hose lines near Webequie First Nation. 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) Kenora 20, now measuring 34,008 hectares, had additional support crews on Saturday to assist with suppression efforts. Cooler temperatures aided efforts, but the Manitoba border flank remains active. 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 (1,607 ha), Fort Frances 4 (3,593 ha), and Sioux Lookout 3 (1,849 ha) are all being held. The MNR acknowledged British Columbia wildfire crews for their support with Kenora 14 and 20 as they headed home Saturday. As #BC Wildfire crews begin their journey home, AFFES extends our thanks for your support on #Kenora Fires 14 & 20. Your dedication and teamwork made a real impact. Safe travels and thank you for supporting #Ontario.#ThankYou #MutualAid — Ontario Forest Fires (@ONforestfires) May 31, 2025 Restrictions and evacuations A Restricted Fire Zone is in effect, with travel bans and evacuation orders near Kenora 32, 20, and 14 along with Red Lake 12 and Nipigon 5. Crown land use and lake access are prohibited in designated areas. 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) The fire hazard is high to extreme across the northwest region. Wildfire smoke Most of northwestern Ontario continues to be impacted by smoke drift from Kenora 20 and active wildfires in Manitoba. 'Smoke is likely to continue impacting the local (Deer Lake First Nation) area throughout the weekend,' said the ministry. Visit to view forecasted smoke conditions in your area. Detailed fire information For more detailed information on fire perimeters, restricted fire zones and fire hazard levels, review the MNR's interactive fire map.
CBC
2 days ago
- General
- CBC
2 men dead in motorcross bike collision near Cochrane: RCMP
Two men are dead after a serious off-road collision involving two motorcross bikes in the Horse Creek area, near Cochrane, Alta., according to RCMP. Cochrane RCMP responded to the incident just before 1 a.m. MT Saturday, according to a news release. First responders found the two men "seriously injured" and proceeded to administer emergency first aid, the release said. Both men were 21-year-old Cochrane residents. They were declared dead at the scene. The investigation into the collision is ongoing.
CTV News
2 days ago
- General
- CTV News
Investigation underway into fatal motor-cross bike collision near Cochrane
An investigation is underway following a fatal collision between two motor-cross bikes near Cochrane early Saturday morning. At 12:42 a.m., Cochrane RCMP responded to a report of a serious off-road collision in the Horse Creek area close to Cochrane. Police, Fire and EMS responded and located two seriously injured 21-year-old men. Both men were declared dead on scene. The RCMP sends its condolences to the family and friends of the victims.
CBC
2 days ago
- Business
- CBC
How victory gardens crop up during times of crisis
Amid high grocery prices and U.S. tariff threats, Bill Belsey is fighting back with seeds and soil in his small "victory garden." "When Trump announced … what at least I interpreted as sort of economic warfare against Canada, it took me back to my parents' generation," Belsey told CBC Radio's Cost of Living from his home in Cochrane, Alta. His father served in the Second World War, and his mother, like many Canadians left behind, contributed to the war effort by starting a victory garden. "There was a sort of communal kind of feeling like, yes, we're in this together. And so they started planting, even though they weren't really farmers or gardeners," said Belsey. "And I got thinking about that a little bit and it dawned on me that, look, I can't change world events, but there are things I could do, and this is one of those." Victory gardens, promoted as a way to ease food shortages during the world wars, always crop up again in times of crisis, according to Debi Goodwin, author of A Victory Garden for Trying Times. For some, they're now emerging as a tool to fight against U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs and threats to Canada's sovereignty. "People have started them whenever they've seen something that scares them," said Goodwin. Food as a 'way of fighting against your enemy' The roots of the victory garden can be traced back to the First World War, when Britain encouraged citizens to turn their flower gardens into vegetable gardens in an effort to stave off food shortages. But it was in the U.S. that "victory gardens really took off," Goodwin said. American businessman Charles Lathrop Pack was key in promoting victory gardens, pushing the importance of self-sustainability of food supplies in the country and helping ship food to its allies. After the war, the gardens largely disappeared until the Second World War led to their revival. At the time, an estimated 200,000 victory gardens were growing in Canada, according to Goodwin. Governments gave people seeds, tools and instructions on how to yield plentiful crops. "Food was seen as a way of fighting against your enemy," Goodwin said. "It was creating a supply of food that would last a family of five through the summer and also carry you through the fall, if not the whole winter." 'A sense of control' Manish Kushwaha, who owns Gaia Organic Seeds in Ottawa, has noticed a jump in sales and renewed interest from people looking to grow their own food. He says gardeners are usually done buying seeds in March, but he's had consistent orders since then. "I correlate that 100 per cent to the tariffs." WATCH | Local seed seller seeing a 'boom' in sales in wake of trade war: This local seed seller says he's seeing a 'boom' in sales in wake of trade war 2 months ago Duration 1:53 Manish Kushwaha, the owner of Gaia Organic Seeds in Riverside South, says March is usually when seed sales die off. But this year, his business has seen such an influx of orders they cannot keep up. He has seen this before: "COVID happened, and my sales skyrocketed." It's moments of uncertainty like that when people turn back to victory gardens, Goodwin said. During the OPEC crisis of 1973, people tended their backyards and created public gardens, she said, also pointing to the first summer of the COVID-19 pandemic, when seed companies couldn't keep up with the demand. "It's not only a chance to beat the cost of rising food — which were both elements in those times — but it gives people a sense of control over their lives," Goodwin said. "I think any time anybody has anxiety, they can look to their garden to create beauty or grow food." Since the U.S. announced tariffs on Canadian goods, two of Canada's biggest packet seed companies, Ontario Seed and West Coast Seeds, told CBC they have seen a 20 per cent increase in sales compared to the same period last year. In an email to Cost of Living, West Coast Seeds said, "Many of our customers are expressing their preference to buy from Canadian-owned and operated companies in response to the tariffs. Back in Cochrane, Belsey is growing lettuce, radishes and carrots in his planter box. "You can get a lot of food out of a little space," he said. "So much happens in the world, and we don't really know what we as individuals can do." "It's one small [thing] that we as individuals, as Canadians, can do at a time when we're feeling really under the gun."
CTV News
2 days ago
- General
- CTV News
Northern Ont. man fined $1,001 for dumping a bag of garbage
Timmins still has a problem with people illegally dumping trash, so it's stepping up fines and enforcement. Sergio Arangio reports. 2021: Cracking down on illegal dumping in Timmins A Cochrane, Ont., man was fined $1,001 for dumping a single bag of garbage on public land. John Sullivan pleaded guilty to the offence, which is a violation under the Public Lands Act. In a news release Friday, the Ministry of Natural Resources said the incident took place Oct. 8, 2023, in Hanna Township, south of Cochrane. 'The officers discovered that garbage had been deposited on public lands at the Little Lake access point parking lot,' the release said. 'The investigation led conservation officers to Sullivan who admitted to the offence.' Justice of the Peace Estelle Bérubé heard the case in the Ontario Court of Justice in Cochrane on Dec. 3, 2024. To report a natural resource problem or provide information about an unsolved case, members of the public can call the ministry TIPS line toll-free at 1-877-847-7667. To remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS. For more information about unsolved cases, click here.
