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THUNDER BAY — Ontario's wildland firefighters are facing "extremely challenging" conditions on the ground in northwestern Ontario, their union stated. More than 150 crews were deployed to northwestern Ontario as of Friday morning, including some from Alberta and the Yukon. As of Thursday evening, there were 129 active fires burning in northwestern Ontario, the provincial Aviation, Forest Fire and Urgent…

Local authorities in Thunder Bay report that With about 600Eabametoong First Nation members at the centre of another evacuationdue to northern Ontario wildfires, the region leaders are speaking out about the conditions that make First Nations more vulnerable to such crises. “The conditions in which they [First Nations] are dealing with, just in terms of air quality, are already poor…

Thunder Bay, ON — 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 administration and Indigenous people evacuated from threatened and damaged communities. Ford…

Residents of Thunder Bay are learning that July 16, 2026– The Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) in Thunder Bay remainsVery High Risktoday as smoke from area wildfires continues to impact air quality in the urban centre. The suspension of non-critical The Lakehead outdoor operations and programming will continue to protect the health and safety of both staff and participants. In…

Thunder Bay, ON — The Municipality of Thunder Bay has activated its Crisis Operations Centre as a precaution while wildfires, evacuations and heavy smoke continue to affect Northwestern Ontario. Municipality representatives stressed that the activation does not mean Thunder Bay is facing an immediate wildfire threat. There is currently no indication that residents of the municipality will need to evacuate.…

Thunder Bay, Ontario — A total of 139 wildfires were burning across northwestern Ontario as of Sunday afternoon, provincial authorities confirmed. This number includes at least eight, covering a total of roughly 3,413 hectares, that were confirmed by the provincial Aviation, Forest Fire and Urgent situation Services (AFFES) agency on Saturday evening: On Sunday, the AFFES confirmed that across the…

Local authorities in Thunder Bay report that SHUNIAH — Thunder Bay OPP are investigating a fatal collision involving multiple motorcycles on Highway 11-17 near Highway 527. Officers say officers with the Thunder Bay Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Law enforcement and urgent situation medical services responded to the collision at approximately 7:30 a.m. on Saturday, July 11, 2026. As a…

News from Thunder Bay: At a news conference in Thunder Bay on Saturday, Ontario Premier Doug Ford railed against U.S. politicians who’ve criticized Canadian wildfire suppression efforts, adding that many in the current administration have "a very short memory." "I find it a shame the administration in the U.S. and Congress people [are] writing these letters and blaming us," Ford…

News from Thunder Bay: A 41-year-old Thunder Bay man is facing six charges following a law enforcement inquiry into an assault reported in the Villa Street and Cumberland Street North area on Canada Day. Thunder Bay Law enforcement Service officers arrested Timothy Cambly on July 15 after an probe involving the Hate Crime Unit and several other specialized units. Authorities…

Residents of Thunder Bay are learning that Miiyah Paavola received a call earlier this week from her mothertelling her that theentire local residents ofNamaygoosisagagun First Nation in northwestern Ontarioneeded to evacuate due to a wildfire, but not to panic. “So of course, I panicked,” stated the 15-year-old daughter of Chief Helen Paavola, who was in Ottawa at the time. Namaygoosisagagun,…