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Residents of Thunder Bay are learning that 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…

The northwestern Ontario community is abuzz with news that the regional capital – NEWS – July 21, 2026– Air quality conditions in the Lakehead have improved significantly, allowing Community 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,…

Residents of Thunder Bay are learning that The Urban centre of Thunder Bay has activated its Critical incident Operations Centre as a precaution while wildfires, evacuations and heavy smoke continue to affect Northwestern Ontario. Urban centre spokespersons stressed that the activation does not mean Thunder Bay is facing an immediate wildfire threat. There is currently no indication that residents of…

The northwestern Ontario community is abuzz with news that There are 139 active wildfires burning in northwestern Ontario, according to the latest update from Ontario Forest Fires, six fewer than reported earlier on Wednesday afternoon. The largest wildfire in the region, known as Thunder Bay 36, remains out of control and spans more than 318,000 hectares. The Ministry of Natural…

Residents of Thunder Bay are learning that Support continues to pour in for wildfire evacuees in the Lakehead, 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 Lakehead into a donation hub,…

Residents of Thunder Bay are learning that Despite wildfire conditions improving in and around Thunder Bay, 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 Crisis Services (NES), shared the number one cause of fire spread and…

Thunder Bay, ON — Northwestern Ontario’s wildfire urgent situation 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 administration and Indigenous people evacuated from threatened and damaged communities.…

Thunder Bay, Ontario — WEATHER DESK – Thunder Bay begins Saturday under widespread wildfire smoke, sharply reduced visibility and an Orange Air Quality Warning. The temperature is already near 19°C, with a humid afternoon expected as the high reaches 26°C. A chance of showers and thunderstorms could bring temporary area improvement, but Environment Canada expects very poor air quality to…

News from Thunder Bay: moved sharply against the national trend in 2025, recording an 18 per cent growth in its police-reported crime rate while Canada’s overall rate declined. For many in the municipality that does not come as a surprise. Crime is on the upswing, and often to many people the Thunder Bay Law enforcement are overwhelmed at times leading…

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 urgent situation last week due to northwestern Ontario’s wildfires. Sakanee is one of more than 130 evacuees from Neskantaga First Nation, a remote Ojibway local residents about 440 kilometres northeast of Thunder Bay. Its…