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Global News
4 days ago
- Climate
- Global News
Military evacuates hundreds as wildfires rip through northern Ontario
More than 900 people have been evacuated from a remote community in northern Ontario using massive military transport planes as out-of-control wildfires spread across the province. On Sunday, Ontario asked the federal government to dispatch military personnel to help evacuate the community of Sandy Lake after a nearby fire expanded, doubling in size toward the edge of town in a few hours. Defence personnel said they had evacuated more than 900 people by Monday afternoon. The evacuations mark the latest twist in an already busy fire season in the province, one critics argue the Ontario government failed to prepare for. Data from the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre shows that the area of Ontario burned so far this year is already 38 times higher than it was last year. Story continues below advertisement The province has recorded 174 fires to date, compared with 97 last year. The 174 fires so far this year are above the five- and 10-year average for Ontario. For years, advocates, the Ontario Public Service Employees Union and internal documents have all warned Ontario is unprepared for a major fire season. A government task force report in 2016, for example, warned that wildland forest fire rangers were quitting at an alarming rate and were being replaced with a dwindling number of inexperienced recruits. An aging fleet of waterbombers and other firefighting planes has also been hit with problems that saw them grounded for periods last summer. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy Advocates and the union representing front-line firefighters have advocated for better pay to attract more full-time firefighters. They have also pushed to be reclassified as an emergency service to improve cancer coverage and for more year-round career opportunities. As of Monday, Ontario is mounting a full response to six out-of-control fires and another seven under control. The 13 fires total 216,225 hectares in size. With the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre rating the province's current ability to respond as 'poor,' the province has been forced to call in fresh resources. Two CL-415 water bombers were sent to the province Monday, according to the fire centre. Firefighters from other provinces were also shipped in to help, along with a team of five from Wisconsin. Story continues below advertisement Those fighting fire on the front lines have experienced close to three-week work stints without a break and fear burnout. 'Short staffing hasn't meant we have more fire on the landscape than we would have if we were fully staffed, but it means we're already on our second group of imported crews from B.C.,' said Eric Davidson, Ontario Wildfire Association president. Davidson, who has been fighting fire in Ontario for 12 years, spoke to Global News to share his experience, not on behalf of the Ontario government or its firefighting operations. 'It means many crews are already on their second 19-day stretch,' he continued. 'If the summer continues like the spring, it won't take long to burn everyone out. Right now, crews get off a fire and are right back into the top of the alert rotation.' Ontario NDP MPP Sol Mamakwa, whose riding includes the Sandy Lake community being evacuated, said the government had ignored warnings that the fire program was unprepared. 'I think over the last few summers, we've been warning people, letting the government know that we need to be prepared,' he said. 'We need to have the proper resources, proper planes and also planning to do the evacuations.' He suggested that, with better resources, the worst of the current fires 'perhaps could have (been) avoided.' Story continues below advertisement Global News asked the government about short-staffing on crews, but the Ministry of Natural Resources did not address the question. A spokesperson said there were more than 50 helicopters and water bombers involved in the firefighting.
Yahoo
16-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Inaugural pickleball tournament to be held in Rochester
ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) — The Professional Pickleball Association will host the inaugural season of its Challenger tournament series in Rochester. The PPA Tour Challenger Series will begin with the PPA Challenger Flower City Open at the Fairport Pickleball Club from June 27 to June 29. The tournament is a part of the PPA's vision to 'foster growth and development within the pickleball community' by encouraging new talent and bringing the emerging sport to a new space. The Fairport Pickleball Club has been open to the sport since 2023, providing a space for players of all levels to enjoy. 'We opened Fairport Pickleball Club with a dream of becoming the premier pickleball club in Western N.Y. With the Professional Pickleball Association bringing their Challenger Series here for the Flower City Open, our efforts to bring world-class pickleball education, events, and facilities to the Rochester area are being rewarded,' Eric Davidson, General Manager of Fairport Pickleball Club said of the collaboration. Heart coming to CMAC this summer with special guest The tour series will have 15 stops around the country where players will compete for victory and earn the chance to play professionally at the Caravana PPA tour. Each Challenger event includes a grand prize of $10,000. The schedule includes: Friday, June 27: Men and Women's Singles Saturday, June 28: Men's Doubles & Women's Doubles Sunday, June 29: Mixed Doubles Early registration is now open and encouraged for pickleball players with a registration fee of $70. The fee includes tournament participation and grounds access. At this time, the PPA estimates to see up to 500 registrants. Tickets are available for those who would like to attend here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
