Date: July 14, 2026
By Kimberly Wilson
THUNDER BAY, Ontario — Thousands of residents in several northwestern Ontario communities have been ordered to evacuate as rapidly growing wildfires continue to spread across the region, forcing emergency officials to close highways, relocate vulnerable residents, and warn that additional communities could soon face evacuation orders.
The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) confirmed that mandatory evacuation orders are in effect for the communities of Armstrong, Lac La Croix First Nation, Collins First Nation, Whitesand First Nation, and Lac des Mille Lacs First Nation. Authorities urged residents to leave immediately and move to safe locations away from the advancing fires.
Police also said the fires are threatening nearby areas, including Rainy River District and Kiashke Zaaging Anishinaabek (Gull Bay First Nation). OPP officers have been assisting with the mandatory evacuation of Gull Bay First Nation as fire conditions continue to deteriorate.
"Individuals living in this area have been asked to leave their residence immediately and seek safety away from active fires," the OPP said in a statement released Tuesday evening.
Emergency Management Ontario advised evacuees to travel south toward Thunder Bay. However, officials from Kiashke Zaaging Anishinaabek later announced that accommodations in Thunder Bay had reached capacity, forcing authorities to arrange alternative locations. Some residents remaining in the community were expected to be flown to Toronto, although officials acknowledged that some families could temporarily be separated because of limited shelter space.
Authorities have also placed residents in Ignace, Crystal Lake, and the Highway 633 corridor on evacuation alert, warning them to prepare to leave their homes if fire conditions worsen. Emergency officials said changing weather patterns and strong winds could rapidly alter the direction and intensity of the fires.
The growing wildfire emergency has also forced the temporary closure of Wabakimi Provincial Park, one of Ontario's largest wilderness parks. Park officials announced the closure would remain in effect until at least July 20 because of dangerous fire conditions and nearby evacuation orders.
According to Ontario's Aviation, Forest Fire and Emergency Services, the province is currently battling 160 active wildland fires, with 128 burning in the northwest region. Of those fires, 53 remain out of control, while others are being monitored or contained by firefighting crews.
Extreme weather has complicated firefighting efforts. Environment Canada has placed much of northern Ontario under severe heat warnings, with humidex values reaching 40°C, creating hot, dry conditions that have accelerated wildfire growth and increased the risk of new ignitions.
Images shared on social media have shown towering flames, dense columns of black smoke, and reduced visibility across affected regions. Wildfire smoke has also begun affecting air quality well beyond the immediate fire zones, with forecasts indicating that smoke could spread into parts of southern Ontario and the northern United States in the coming days.
Emergency responders, firefighters, and aircraft continue working to protect threatened communities while coordinating evacuations in remote areas. Officials are urging residents to follow evacuation instructions promptly and remain informed through official emergency alerts as weather conditions continue to evolve.
The ongoing wildfire season has once again highlighted the growing challenges posed by extreme heat, prolonged dry conditions, and increasingly intense fire activity across Canada. Authorities say public safety remains the top priority as crews work around the clock to contain the blazes and protect lives and property.