Year: 2026

THUNDER BAY — Dilico Anishinabek Family Care held its eighth annual powwow on Thursday in Fort William First Nation, which neighbours Thunder Bay. The event helped bring people together as hundreds are displaced during Ontario's wildfire season. Zander Lapensee says powwows have changed his life — and amid a difficult wildfire season in northwestern Ontario, he hopes his dancing helps…

Local authorities in Thunder Bay report that A 23-year-old Shuniah resident faces two Criminal Code charges following a Thunder Bay Authorities Service examination into an alleged weapons incident on the city’s north side. Authorities say a person suffered minor injuries during the July 12 incident near Howe Street and Cumberland Street North. The accused was arrested after officers searched the…

Thunder Bay, ON — 131 active wildfires are burning in northwestern Ontario, with 30 listed as not under control, according to the latest update from Ontario Forest Fires. The largest wildfire in the region, known as Thunder Bay 36, also remains out of control and spans more than 315,000 hectares. The Ministry of Natural Resources indicated the Thunder Bay–Ignace Districthas…

Residents of Thunder Bay are learning that With weather conditions improving and fire behaviour slowing, residents of Upsala are returning home following a voluntary evacuation last week. "The weather has cooled. the humidity is up," shared Upsala fire chief Doug Kiezebrink. "Winds are maybe still a bit of a problem." Kiezebrink called the fire — Fort Frances 14, which at…

A developing story from Thunder Bay: moved sharply against the national trend in 2025, recording an 18 per cent surge in its police-reported crime rate while Canada’s overall rate declined. For many in the community that does not come as a surprise. Crime is on the upswing, and often to many people the northwestern Ontario hub Authorities are overwhelmed at…

A developing story from Thunder Bay: Thunder Bay, Ont., has recently completed the installation ofEsox (Ginoozheg)by Halifax-based artist Simon Lacey in the Mall Street Plaza as part of theNorth Core Streetscape Program. The public artwork, which translates to 'pike' (esox in Latin and ginoozheg in Ojibway), is located between Red River Road and Park Street. “It was a big effort…

Thunder Bay, ON — Support continues to pour in for wildfire evacuees in Thunder Bay, with one organization saying it's received thousands of donations in support of people displaced by the fires burning across northwestern Ontario. Kiikenomaga Kikenjigewen Employment & Training Services (KKETS) has transformed its warehouse on Beaverhall Place in the municipality into a donation hub, and has accepted…

The northwestern Ontario community is abuzz with news that Thunder Bay, Ont., has recently completed the installation ofEsox (Ginoozheg)by Halifax-based artist Simon Lacey in the Mall Street Plaza as part of theNorth Core Streetscape Program. The public artwork, which translates to 'pike' (esox in Latin and ginoozheg in Ojibway), is located between Red River Road and Park Street. “It was…

A developing story from Thunder Bay: First Nation chiefs from northwestern Ontario are calling for a public inquiry into the provincial government’s response to the region's wildfires, which have resulted in more than a dozen evacuations. At a media conference hosted by Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) at the Superior Inn Hotel and Conference Centre in the Lakehead on Tuesday, Gull…

A developing story from Thunder Bay: Northwestern Ontario’s wildfire crisis remains the leading story for NetNewsLedger readers on Sunday, July 19, 2026, with 137 active fires, continuing evacuations and widespread smoke affecting communities, transportation and public health. Ontario Premier Doug Ford was in Thunder Bay Saturday, where he met with fire authorities and Indigenous people evacuated from threatened and damaged…