Ontario Asks for Federal Support for Wildfire Evacuations as Smoke Spreads
Wildfires have prompted evacuations for several First Nations, while Ontario officials reported 148 active fires and 69 out of control.
- On Thursday, Ontario issued a formal request for federal assistance to support wildfire evacuations in remote northern communities, with Emergency Preparedness Minister Jill Dunlop saying the request includes potential Canadian Armed Forces deployments.
- Wildfires have devastated Namaygoosisagagun First Nation, also known as Collins First Nation, destroying homes and buildings as residents fled without emergency services support. Indigenous Services Canada reported 1,600 individuals evacuated from First Nations communities this season as of July 15.
- Canadian National Railway suspended operations near Armstrong Monday after a train crew was surrounded by flames, captured in a widely shared video. Ontario Provincial Police closed Highway 599 and Highway 527, advising residents to avoid mandatory evacuation zones.
- Prime Minister Mark Carney stated Wednesday night that the wildfire situation has worsened significantly over the last three weeks, particularly in Northwestern Ontario. Communities including Cat Lake First Nation and McDowell Lake First Nation have initiated evacuations, forcing thousands from their homes.
- Smoke from the fires drifted south, causing poor air quality in Toronto and the Northeastern United States as the crisis spreads beyond the fire zone. Ontario Green Party Leader Mike Schreiner criticized the government, claiming it "can no longer ignore the very real and dangerous impacts of the climate crisis.
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15 Articles
Increased risk in Espanola and Manitoulin from wildfire smoke
As of Tuesday, July 14, there have been 453 wildland fires across Ontario. There were three new wildland fires reported in northeastern Ontario on July 13 and 10 new ones on July 14. According to the Government of Ontario forest fire count there were 37 active wildfires in the Northeast Region with five not under control, three being held, one under control, and 28 being observed.
Ontario asks for federal support for wildfire evacuations as smoke spreads
TORONTO, July 16 (Reuters) - Ontario requested federal assistance to evacuate people from remote northern communities ravaged by wildfires on Thursday, as smoke brought poor air quality to Toronto and much of the Northeastern U.S. Canada has more activ...
Ontario is seeking assistance from the federal government to prepare to evacuate northern communities by air, while dozens of forest fires are raging without control.
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