Ontario wildfires force 12 communities to evacuate; 638,000 hectares burned as federal support arrives

Ontario is battling 191 active wildfires across the province, with 81 currently out of control and spreading. At least 12 communities have been forced to evacuate, including Armstrong, Lac La Croix First Nation, Whitesand First Nation, Gull Bay First Nation, and Lac des Mille Lacs First Nation. One fast-moving blaze has damaged and destroyed homes and buildings on Namaygoosisagagun First Nation, also known as Collins First Nation, north of Thunder Bay.

Ontario has burned 638,000 hectares of land so far. Premier Doug Ford held his first wildfire briefing Friday, July 17, stating it is a "miracle" that no lives have been lost so far. "No one has lost their lives. Thank God," he said. The province has deployed more than 150 crews with helicopters and water bombers to fight the fires.

Federal support has arrived from across Canada. After dozens of crews were sent from Alberta to Ontario on Wednesday, three more firefighting planes were moved from Alberta to assist Thursday. Ontario has received help from almost 100 out-of-province crews, 14 aircraft, and 100 pumps. The Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre ranks Ontario as requiring assistance from other jurisdictions to manage the crisis.

Wildfires have also prompted air quality warnings in other provinces. Winnipeg is subject to a yellow-level air quality warning as smoke drifts from northwestern Ontario blazes, with poor air quality expected at times. The smoke has caused visibility issues and potential respiratory symptoms for vulnerable groups including infants, young children, seniors, and pregnant people.