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CBC
3 days ago
- Climate
- CBC
Wildfires prompt air quality statements across northwestern Ontario as evacuations continue
A number of special air quality statements are in effect across northwestern Ontario, as wildfire activity remains rampant throughout the region. Environment and Climate Change Canada issued the statements early Monday morning for well over a dozen communities, including several First Nations: Big Trout Lake – Kasabonika. Dryden – Vermilion Bay. Ear Falls – Perrault Falls – Western Lac Seul. Fort Frances – Emo – Rainy River. Kenora – Grassy Narrows – Whitedog. Pickle Lake – Cat Lake. Pikangikum – Poplar Hill – MacDowell. Red Lake – Woodland Caribou Park. Sachigo Lake – Bearskin Lake. Sandy Lake – Weagamow Lake – Deer Lake. Sioux Lookout – Eastern Lac Seul. Sioux Narrows – Nestor Falls - Morson. Summer Beaver – Wunnummin Lake – Kingfisher Lake. Webequie. "Wildfire smoke is expected to move into the area early this morning and may remain in place for the next several days for some areas," the statements say. "As smoke levels increase, health risks increase. Limit time outdoors. Consider reducing or rescheduling outdoor sports, activities and events." Community evacuations are continuing in Deer Lake First Nation and Webequie First Nation due to nearby wildfires. Meanwhile, members of Wabaseemoong Independent Nations have been under an evacuation order since mid-May. Webequie First Nation first declared a state of emergency on Thursday. Chief Cornelius Wabasse said high demands for aircraft in other communities affected by wildfires delayed his community's evacuation. "There is a shortage of planes and also other resources," Wabasse told CBC News in an interview on Monday morning. He said the first planes were expected to arrive in Webequie on Monday to bring the most vulnerable community members to Barrie, which is about a one-hour drive north of Toronto. While Nipigon 5 is a few kilometres from the remote Ojibway community, Wabasse said, "the wind has shifted from the south, so it's coming towards the community now." It's been a few years since Webequie First Nation went through a community evacuation, he said, which signifies the need to do more to prepare for emergencies going forward. "There needs to be a lot of awareness of fires that we have in nearby communities and how we react. I think we just need to be prepared for any disasters in our community." 'Ontario stands with our northern communities' "Ontario stands with our northern communities and neighbouring provinces as they face the devastating impact of ongoing wildfires," said the province's minister of emergency preparedness and response, Jill Dunlop, in an emailed statement to CBC News on Sunday. "The Ministry of Emergency Preparedness and Response is actively working with Indigenous leadership, federal and local partners to support evacuation efforts and with the delivery of essential services in northern Ontario." There are 12 active wildfires in northwestern Ontario, including four of note: Red Lake 12, which is near Deer Lake First Nation, is more than 17,900 hectares large. Nipigon 5, which is near Webequie First Nation, is more than 7,500 hectares large. It is not under control. Kenora 20, which is near Ingolf and Wabaseemoong, is more than 35,000 hectares large. It is not under control. Kenora 14, which is near Wabaseemoong, is more than 1,600 hectares large. It is currently being held. "The priority of our response is the protection of public safety including the protection of critical infrastructure and property. Efforts have been concentrated on structure protection and crews will be deployed as conditions allow," said minister of natural resources Mike Harris in an emailed statement to CBC News on Sunday. "Ontario is currently receiving support from our mutual aid partners through the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre. Equipment and personnel from British Columbia, Quebec, Alberta and New Brunswick [have] been deployed." A restricted fire zone — which means no open air burning is allowed — remains in effect for much of the region. Evacuees have been sent to a number of different communities: Up to 1,300 community members from Deer Lake First Nation are being relocated to Sioux Lookout and the Toronto region. Up to 400 community members from Webequie First Nation are being sent to Simcoe County; Wabasse said the community is starting with an evacuation of 200 people. About 450 community members from Wabaseemoong are staying in the Niagara region.
CTV News
6 days ago
- Climate
- CTV News
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.
CBC
21-05-2025
- Climate
- CBC
4 of 7 wildfires in northwestern Ontario still out of control: fire officials
As wildfires in northwestern Ontario continue to rage, deputy fire chief of Minaki Fire, Robert Creedon, says it's crucial to keep community anxiety in check. "I've been noticing a lot of people getting into different panic modes," he said. "If I get one question, I know there's probably 20 or more people out there that have the same question." As of Tuesday, seven fires were burning throughout northwestern Ontario. In Minaki, approximately 54 kilometres by road northwest of Kenora, Creedon said the winds from the east have altered slightly, blowing smoke away from the region. "That's quite helpful," he said, although he notes there are still periods of time when residents are able to smell smoke. With the changing circumstances, Creedon said the community has stepped up to help fire efforts. The Ministry of Natural Resources is using the former Minaki Lodge property as a base, as well as the Minaki Airport for incoming helicopters. "That's for helicopter water bombing, and it's also for bringing crews in and out," he said. The cooler weather this spring has also had a hand in controlling the wildfires in the region, but not for long. "We're still getting down to single digits at night, so that's helped with the fire," said Creedon. "But it is beginning to warm up again. We got very little rain over the weekend, so there's also drying conditions." Significant wildfires remain not under control As of Monday, evacuation alerts for various regions remain in place, according to Ontario Forest Fires. Of the seven wildfires in the region, the four most significant ones had "very little growth and minimal behaviour" over the weekend, Ontario fire information officer Alison Lake said in an email. Those fires — Kenora 20, Kenora 14, Fort Frances 4 and Sioux Lookout 3 — are not under control. "Implementation orders remain in place around each of these fires restricting access to certain roads and waterways to protect public safety and facilitate effective fire suppression efforts," Lake said. She also noted that cooler weather conditions helped crews, including firefighters from Ontario and British Colombia, make progress in the last few days. "We are now entering a drying trend, however, and we are seeing the hazard start to rebound on the western half of the region. This could result in some increased fire behaviour on our active fires," said Lake. Preparing go-bags While the fires are active, Creedon said the best advice he can give to community members is to make sure they are prepared, which can help them reduce their stress around the situation. He said ensuring that important papers and medications are easy to find in case people do need to evacuate quickly is important. He also suggested storing valuables in a location where they can be easily picked up. "I'm not suggesting packing clothes yet, because you want fresh clothes and freshly laundered clothes when you do leave," he said. "That might be one of those things to save for the last minute."
CTV News
18-05-2025
- Climate
- CTV News
Wildfires force more than 800 to evacuate northwestern Ontario First Nation
Smoke hangs above the treeline near dusk blocking out the setting sun at forest fires near Killarney, Ont., Tuesday, July 31, 2018. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Fred Thornhill Wildfires have forced more than 800 residents to evacuate their northwestern Ontario First Nation. Chief Waylon Scott of the Wabaseemoong Independent Nation, which sits about 100 kilometres northwest of Kenora near the Manitoba border, says rain and cooler temperatures have kept several fires at bay, but the blazes still pose a major threat. In a video conference with reporters Sunday, he said crews are trying to beat back flames from a 0.3-square-kilometre wildfire burning just over a kilometre from the community. Scott says roughly 100 firefighters, including 20 flown in from British Columbia, are battling that blaze as well as two much bigger fires — one roaring across 90 square kilometres and from which the smaller fire jumped. Scott says sprinklers are now set up outside about 80 per cent of the buildings in his community, with every home likely to have one within a couple of days. Fast-moving wildfires triggered evacuation alerts across northwestern Ontario last week amid the first heat wave of the season. Manitoba also declared a state of emergency in one of its provincial parks as that province battles several large fires. Scott said about 800 Wabaseemoong residents were flown to Niagara Falls, Ont., for a stay at a pair of hotels, with medical staff on site, while a couple dozen more headed to Winnipeg. 'We literally had hours to evacuate because the Kenora fire literally sprang up without anyone knowing. It wasn't on MNR's (the Ministry of Natural Resources') radar. 'It was scary at times,' he said. 'You can actually hear the roar of the fire from across the river.' Since Scott became chief in 2019, the community has seen three evacuations and six emergencies, he said. 'I can't explain what kind of toll it takes on them, but it does take a toll,' he said. 'Every spring moving forward, I believe they're going to be on the edge of their seat with the fire season.' This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 18, 2025. The Canadian Press
Globe and Mail
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Globe and Mail
Ontario First Nation seeks emergency relief in Federal Court over water crisis
A First Nation in northwestern Ontario is seeking $200 million in emergency relief from the federal government to address the 'critical' state of its water and sewage system as part of legal action launched in Federal Court, lawyers for the community said Friday. Pikangikum First Nation submitted a motion Thursday asking the court to compel the government to provide the emergency funds to deliver adequate water and sanitation services to the community of more than 4,000 people. The First Nation has declared a state of emergency and filed a lawsuit against the federal government, arguing that Canada has failed to fix the water issue and has caused irreparable harm to the community. A statement of claim initially filed last year says the First Nation has suffered from deficient water and sewage infrastructure for decades, and most households have no running water. The First Nation alleges that Canada has failed to provide potable water, sewage disposal and fire prevention infrastructure to the community, and it's asking the court to order the government to immediately construct and repair its water systems. It claims community members have contracted skin diseases and parasites due to lack of access to safe drinking water and inadequate sanitation, and some have been injured or have died while travelling long distances to access water and outdoor toilet facilities. The community is also 'ill-equipped' to respond to fires with limited water pressure and too few fire hydrants, the statement of claim says. 'The conditions in Pikangikum would shock Canadians who have never visited the reserve,' the statement says. 'These conditions constitute nothing less than a national embarrassment and demand an immediate and full remedy.' The First Nation is also asking for a declaration that Canada has breached Pikangikum's treaty rights and parts of the Constitution Act 'by failing to respect its rights over the land and waters and its right to maintain its traditional livelihoods' within Treaty five territories. The motion submitted Thursday is an interim request to the court 'to address the urgency of the situation on the ground' while the main lawsuit proceeds, lawyer Yana Sobiski said in an e-mail. The Federal Court has put the motion on hold while the parties agree on a timeline for next steps, Sobiski said. Indigenous Services Canada did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The community said in a press release that it has done multiple studies that confirm the inadequacy of its water infrastructure and it has issued multiple long- and short-term drinking water advisories. The most recent advisory came in February 2024 and remains in effect, it said. The First Nation's leadership has had to implement daily water conservation measures to prevent closures of local institutions, including the community's only school, it said. Pikangikum Chief Paddy Peters said in a statement that he implored Indigenous Services Canada earlier this year to provide long-term solutions for the community's residents, but nothing has changed. Peters said the government makes 'repeated promises for improvements that never come' while the residents' health is at risk every day. 'In 2025, our people still draw their drinking water from the lake because there is no trust that our treated water is safe to drink,' said Peters. 'For decades, we have waited for Canada. It's inhumane to make our people wait any longer.'
