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CBC
2 days ago
- Climate
- CBC
Air quality warnings, burn bans in place as wildfires expand across northwestern Ontario
As wildfire smoke from northwestern Ontario and Manitoba pervades southern parts of the province, the region's wildfires continue to grow. The area's biggest wildfire is Red Lake 12, which is more than 66,000 hectares large and not yet under control. The fire prompted the evacuation of Deer Lake First Nation last week, sending hundreds of community members to Toronto. "Crews continue to work hoselines on the flanks of the fire closest to the community and maintain sprinkler setups on buildings and infrastructure," Ontario Forest Fires said in its latest update online Thursday night. Meanwhile, provincial crews are tracking five other fires of note in the region: Kenora 20, which is more than 36,000 hectares large and not under control; the fire triggered evacuation orders for Ingolf and Wabaseemoong Independent Nations in mid-May, sending evacuees from the First Nation to Niagara Falls. Nipigon 5, which is more than 8,800 hectares large and not under control; the fire prompted the evacuation of Webequie First Nation members this week to Barrie. Kenora 32, which is located within Woodland Caribou Provincial Park, is not under control, at more than 7,700 hectares large. Kenora 14, which is under control at over 1,600 hectares large. Kenora 34, which is being held at 18 hectares large. Much of northwestern Ontario remains under a restricted fire zone, first issued in mid-May and then expanded at the end of the month. "No open air burning, including campfires, is permitted within the boundaries of a restricted fire zone. Portable gas or propane stoves may be used for cooking and warmth but must be handled with extreme caution. All burning permits are suspended," Ontario Forest Fires says on its website. Other restrictions in place include travel bans, use of waterways, and NOTAMS (notice to airmen) about limited drone usage permitted in the areas of Red Lake 12 and Nipigon 5. The wildland fire hazard remains high to extreme across the region. As of Thursday night, there were 18 active fires being tracked, at various stages of control. Dozens of air quality warnings, statements in effect As of Friday afternoon, several air quality warnings were in effect in the region, for areas including: Big Trout Lake — Kasabonika. Ear Falls — Perrault Falls — Western Lac Seul. Fort Hope — Lansdowne House — Ogoki. 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 Narrows — Nestor Falls — Morson. Summer Beaver — Wunnummin Lake — Kingfisher Lake. Webequie. "Wildfire smoke is expected to shift further north today as winds become southwesterly. Wildfire smoke may remain in place for the next several days for many areas," Environment and Climate Change Canada said in Friday's warnings online. "People more likely to be impacted by wildfire smoke, including people aged 65 and older, pregnant people, infants and young children, people with an existing illness or chronic health condition, and people who work outdoors, should avoid strenuous activities outdoors and seek medical attention if experiencing symptoms." Common symptoms include eye, nose and throat irritation, headaches or a mild cough. People are urged to keep their windows and doors closed as much as possible, and to wear respirator-type masks if they are spending time outdoors. "Protect your indoor air from wildfire smoke. Actions can include using a clean, good quality air filter in your ventilation system and/or a certified portable air cleaner that can filter fine particles," Environment and Climate Change Canada says. Dozens of communities across the province remain under less severe air quality statements. In northwestern Ontario, these include: Armstrong — Auden — Wabakimi Park. Atikokan — Shebandowan — Quetico Park. Beardmore — Jellicoe — Macdiarmid. City of Thunder Bay. Cloud Bay — Dorion. Dryden — Vermilion Bay. Fort Frances — Emo — Rainy River. Geraldton — Longlac — Caramat. Gull Bay — Black Sturgeon Lake. Ignace — English River. Kakabeka Falls — Whitefish Lake — Arrow Lake. Manitouwadge — Hornepayne. Marathon — Schreiber. Nakina — Aroland — Pagwa. Nipigon — Rossport. Savant Lake — Sturgeon Lake. Seine River Village — Mine Centre. Sioux Lookout — Eastern Lac Seul. Upsala — Raith. White River — Dubreuilville.
CBC
6 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.
Toronto Sun
18-05-2025
- Climate
- Toronto Sun
Wildfires force more than 800 to evacuate northwestern Ontario First Nation
Published May 18, 2025 • 1 minute read This image shared on the Facebook page of Wabaseemoong Independent Nations shows an aerial view of wildfire Kenora 20 taken on Monday, May 12, 2025. Photo by Wabaseemoong Independent Nations / Facebook Wildfires have forced more than 800 residents to evacuate their northwestern Ontario First Nation. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account 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. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 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.' Toronto & GTA Toronto Maple Leafs Sports World World
