Thunder Bay, ON — Kasabonika Lake First Nation in Northwestern Ontario has paused further evacuations of its most vulnerable members, as a cluster of five wildfires surrounding the remote citizens has stabilized for the time being.
The Oji-Cree First Nation declared a state of emergency over the weekend due to escalating wildfire activity. The first wave of evacuees were flown out Sunday evening, landing in Thunder Bay before continuing south to Toronto. Chief Matthias Anderson confirmed that as of Thursday afternoon, 548 evacuees remain in Toronto and 37 more are on the way from Thunder Bay.
The evacuees make up nearly half of the First Nation’s population and largely consist of elders, children, prenatal mothers, and people with medical conditions. This marks the community’s first evacuation in 20 years. While conditions have stabilized, authorities continue to monitor the situation closely as it changes by the hour.
There are currently more than six dozen active wildfires across Ontario’s Northwest Region. Of those, 21 are not under control, seven are being held, four are under control, and the rest are being observed. Recent rainfall has offered some relief for fire crews in the far north, though thunderstorms have produced thousands of lightning strikes across the region.
Forest fire hazard levels range from low to high across the northwest, with a pocket of extreme hazard in the Thunder Bay-Ignace district. The largest fire in the region, Sioux Lookout 1, spans more than 17,200 hectares and has been burning since May 30. The public leaders in Kasabonika Lake continue to assess conditions to determine when evacuees may be able to return home.
Residents are urged to report any fresh wildland fires by calling 310-FIRE and to check the Ontario Forest Fires website for the latest information.
There are currently more than six dozen active wildfires across Ontario’s Northwest Region. Of those, 21 are not under control, seven are being held, four are under control, and the rest are being observed. Recent rainfall has offered some relief for fire crews in the far north, though thunderstorms have produced thousands of lightning strikes across the region.
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📍 Source: CBC News · By: Sarah Law · 🗓️ July 2, 2026 · 🏠 ThunderBay.Online
