THUNDER BAY, ONTARIO / RankWire.AI / – Northern Ontario faced a widening wildfire emergency Wednesday as nearly 200 fires burned across the province. Ontario listed 183 active wildland fires at 3 p.m. on July 15. The Northwest Fire Region accounted for 136 fires by evening. Crews had not controlled 63 of them. Officials also recorded eight new fires during the day. Hot, dry and windy weather kept fire danger at extreme levels across several northern districts.
Authorities ordered evacuations in Armstrong, Whitesand First Nation, Gull Bay First Nation and Lac des Mille Lacs First Nation. Orders also covered Namaygoosisagagun First Nation and Gakijiwanong Anishinaabe Nation. The Ontario Provincial Police supported evacuations and managed road closures across the region. Officials told residents near Ignace, Crystal Lake and Highway 633 to prepare for possible departure. Emergency teams asked the public to keep evacuation routes clear and avoid unnecessary travel.
Fire swept through Namaygoosisagagun, a remote community about 200 kilometres north of Thunder Bay. Residents escaped by boat because no road connects the community to nearby towns. Anishinabek Nation said all known residents had reached safety, pending a full community assessment. The wildfire damaged or destroyed homes and other buildings. Namaygoosisagagun has about 40 members. Local leaders continued checking properties and accounting for damage after the evacuation.
Evacuations and closures disrupt northern Ontario
Highway 599 remained closed between Highway 516 and Mishkeegogamang First Nation. Highway 527 also stayed shut between Gull Bay First Nation and Armstrong. Highway 11 reopened between Highways 633 and 623, although emergency crews continued working nearby. Canadian National Railway stopped operations near Armstrong after flames surrounded a train. Workers left the area safely. Police warned drivers to expect changing conditions and to follow every closure notice.
Fire crews focused on communities, homes and critical infrastructure throughout northwestern Ontario. Dryden 13 joined nearby fires in the Wabakimi area and formed the larger Thunder Bay 36 fire. Other priority zones included Quetico Provincial Park, Atikokan, Upsala, Cat Lake and Fort Hope. Water bombers attacked active fire fronts while ground teams built protection lines. The Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources deployed available staff and equipment across the highest-risk areas.
Smoke reaches southern Ontario and nearby US states
Wildfire smoke spread from northern Ontario into southern parts of the province and the northeastern United States. Toronto’s Air Quality Health Index reached 10+, the highest risk category, during heavy smoke on Wednesday. Environment Canada warned of very poor air quality and reduced visibility. Health officials advised children, older adults and people with heart or lung conditions to limit outdoor activity. Fine particles from smoke can irritate airways and worsen existing health problems.
A Restricted Fire Zone covered the Northwest Fire Region and parts of northeastern Ontario. The order banned open-air burning, including campfires, and suspended existing burning permits. Ontario had recorded 453 wildland fires this year, compared with 349 at the same point in 2025. The 10-year average for that period stood at 312 fires. The Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources urged residents to follow evacuation directions and check official road and wildfire updates before travelling.