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Thunder Bay, Ontario — Northwestern Ontario’s wildfire critical incident 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 the city Saturday, where he met with fire authorities and Indigenous people evacuated from threatened and damaged communities.…

Thunder Bay, ON — Yolanda Sakanee says she wants to go home, but there's too much uncertainty in her First Nation, which declared a state of crisis last week due to northwestern Ontario’s wildfires. Sakanee is one of more than 130 evacuees from Neskantaga First Nation, a remote Ojibway the region about 440 kilometres northeast of Thunder Bay. Its chief…

Thunder Bay, Ontario — Dilico Anishinabek Family Care held its eighth annual powwow on Thursday in Fort William First Nation, which neighbours the regional capital. 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…

A developing story from Thunder Bay: the city – LIVING –Thunder Bay’s police-reported crime rate rose 18 per cent in 2025, giving statistical weight to alarm already being expressed by residents, families, seniors, young people and community businesses. From social media posts, to many neighbourhoods in the Lakehead, the evidence of problems is quite apparent. At the base of the…

Residents of Thunder Bay are learning that Two Thunder Bay men have been charged with second-degree murder after officers responding to a reported assault found a deceased person in the Cumming Street area late Saturday night. Thunder Bay Law enforcement Service officers were called to the area at about 11 p.m. on July law enforcement declared members of the Primary…

Residents of Thunder Bay are learning that Despite wildfire conditions improving in and around the city, Ont., on Tuesday, there are many steps residents can still take to reduce their wildfire risk and the likelihood of negative impacts to their properties. Mark Shruiff, the fire chief for Neebing Urgent situation Services (NES), stated the number one cause of fire spread…

The northwestern Ontario community is abuzz with news 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," indicated Upsala fire chief Doug Kiezebrink. "Winds are maybe still a bit of a problem." Kiezebrink called the fire — Fort Frances 14,…

News from Thunder Bay: News –TB26028209–Visible officers presence expected on the Lakehead’s south end A visible law enforcement presence is expected in the Cumming Street area. the regional capital Officers Service officers responded to a call for service in the area on the evening of July 18, 2026. No further information is available at this time. Updates will be provided…

Local authorities in Thunder Bay report that 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 — NEWS – July 21, 2026– Air quality conditions in Thunder Bay have improved significantly, allowing Urban centre services and outdoor activities to continue operating normally while the Community maintains its support for the ongoing regional wildfire response. The Air Quality Health Index is currently atLow-Riskconditions throughout the day, increasing to Moderate Risk tonight and into tomorrow. With…