Local authorities in Thunder Bay report that As of Monday afternoon, there are 142 active wildfires in the northwest region, according to Ontario Forest Fires.
The Pan Canadian Aerial Asset Program managed by the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Center have sent two Q400 airtankers and a birddog to assist in the region. However, these wildfires may still be impacted by a severe thunderstorm this afternoon and evening. Environment Canada issued a yellow severe thunderstorm watch around noon on Monday, spanning from Rainy River to Red Rock, north to Ear Falls and south along the Canada-U.S.
Meteorologists are tracking the thunderstorm as it moves eastward across the region at 40 kilometres per hour. It is capable of producing strong wind gusts of 90 to 110 kilometres per hour, hail of loonie to ping pong ball size and regional utility outages. With precipitation and thunderstorms forecasted for the next few days, Ontario Forest Fires remarked a large number of lightning strikes have already been observed across the landscape. While the regional fire hazard is currently low, potential for new fire starts from lightning remains, it added.
"Timely evacuations help protect lives and well-being, and we recognize the efforts of First Nation leadership as they work diligently to protect their members.
Highway 599 between Highway 516 and Mishkeegogamang First Nations has reopened to traffic in both directions, effective at 12 p.m. If conditions deteriorate, the Ontario Provincial Law enforcement remarked Highway 599 may be closed again with little notice to ensure the public and critical incident responders' safety. Before travelling, the law enforcement encourage drivers to prepare for reduced visibility due to smoke and changing conditions, to check for thelatest road and wildfire updates, to follow all posted signage and directions from urgent response personnel and to allow for extra time. Highway 527 northbound at Gull Bay First Nation and Highway 11 between Highway 633 and Highway 623 remain closed. The province also confirmed a total of 13 new fires have been discovered in the northwest region: In the northeast region, the province shared 46 active wildland fires were also burning, out of which six are not under control. This year’s wildfire season has forced over two dozen communities and areas to evacuate in recent days, including 10 First Nations communities across northern Ontario. These communities included Eabametoong First Nation, a fly-in local residents over 300 kilometres north of Thunder Bay. By Sunday evening, a total of 13 flights carrying most members of the First Nation had evacuated to Niagara Falls. In a statement from Indigenous Services Canada (ISC), a spokesperson stressed the department’s concern about how the wildfires may be impacting the health, safety and well-being of people in First Nations. “We know emergencies like these can be stressful and disruptive for individuals, families and communities," an ISC statement shared. "Timely evacuations help protect lives and well-being, and we recognize the efforts of First Nation leadership as they work diligently to protect their members. ISC is working closely with First Nations leadership, Ontario and urgent response management partners to support the immediate and evolving needs of impacted communities." On Friday morning, the province issued an evacuation order for an area near the Fort Frances 14 fire, which is slightly more than 55,000 hectares in size and was not under control as of Saturday morning. People in the area of Baril, Bedivere and Windigoostigwan lakes and Lac des Mille Lacs have been told to leave immediately, unless they have a travel permit issued by the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNRF). On Sunday morning, the province also put into effect an expanded evacuation order for areas near Armstrong, north and east of Lake Nipigon, due to the fires known as Thunder Bay 36, 54 and 56, as well as Dryden 34 and 35. Several other communities and areas that have also been told about potential evacuations include: On Saturday, the Canadian Red Cross confirmed it was setting up a response team at the Fort William Gardens' arena in Thunder Bay to help evacuees. Speaking at a press conference in the Lakehead region on Saturday, Ontario Premier Doug Ford confirmed over 155 fire crews were on the ground helping in the efforts, with more than 80 aircraft deployed. He shared 40 additional aircraft were on standby for suppression efforts, while warning those affected by the wildfires against returning to campsites and homes if they've been ordered to evacuate. The AFFES confirmed additional support, including helicopters, aircraft and aerial support personnel, had arrived from Alberta and Yukon. The Municipality of the northwestern Ontario hub is reopening many outdoor facilities and programs on Monday that were temporarily impacted bywildfire smoke. While the Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) is currently at high risk, the municipality expects it to transition to a moderate risk in the evening, according to a media release issued around 5 p.m. Community crews are expected to resume outdoor work with enhanced health and safety measures, including, where appropriate, respiratory protection and more frequent breaks. Essential municipality services, including transit and urgent situation services, are also running. The Lakehead advised it will continue to monitor conditions closely and is prepared to adjust operations should air quality deteriorate. Nicky Shaw is a reporter for CBC Thunder Bay. She graduated with a Bachelor of Journalism and a minor in Environmental and Climate Humanities from Carleton University. Aligning with her passion for covering global environmental and humanitarian issues, she has worked to develop in-depth multimedia content that shares the diverse experiences of people in Northwestern Ontario. It is a priority for CBC to create products that are accessible to all in Canada including people with visual, hearing, motor and cognitive challenges. Closed Captioning and Described Video is available for many CBC shows offered onCBC Gem..
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📍 Source: CBC News Thunder Bay · By: CBC News Staff · 🗓️ July 20, 2026 · 🏠 ThunderBay.Online
