Canada Wildfires intensified on Thursday as Ontario requested federal assistance to evacuate residents from remote northern communities threatened by rapidly spreading fires. Meanwhile, thick wildfire smoke reduced air quality in Toronto and across much of the northeastern United States.
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Officials said Canada is experiencing more active wildfires than at the same time in the past two years. Additionally, the total area burned has already exceeded last year’s figures. Most of the fires are burning in remote parts of Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Ontario.
According to Indigenous Services Canada, authorities evacuated around 1,600 people from First Nations communities by July 15.
Wildfires have continued to affect many remote Indigenous communities across the country.
Earlier this week, Namaygoosisagagun First Nation, also known as Collins First Nation, was evacuated after a fast-moving wildfire reached the community near Armstrong in northwestern Ontario.
Residents went door to door to warn neighbours before escaping by boat with their families and pets. As a result, everyone evacuated safely before the flames spread through the area.
Chief Helen Paavola told CBC News that the entire community was destroyed in less than an hour.
Furthermore, the wildfire near Armstrong, including areas around Namaygoosisagagun and Whitesand First Nation, had expanded to more than 350,000 hectares by Thursday, according to Ontario’s Aviation, Forest Fire and Emergency Services.
Ontario’s Minister of Emergency Preparedness, Jill Dunlop, said the province had formally requested federal support. In particular, the request includes the possible deployment of the Canadian Armed Forces to assist with evacuations.
Prime Minister Mark Carney said the federal government remains in close contact with provincial and municipal authorities. He added that Ottawa is ready to provide additional support whenever needed.
Government data showed 859 active wildfires across Canada on Thursday. Moreover, officials classified 113 of those fires as out of control. So far, more than 2.38 million hectares have burned nationwide.
Carney said the wildfire situation has worsened significantly during the past three weeks. Consequently, thousands of residents have left their homes without knowing whether their communities will survive.
Canadian National Railway suspended rail operations near Armstrong as a safety measure. Earlier, a widely shared video showed one of its trains surrounded by flames.
Meanwhile, mining companies also responded to the emergency. Fury Gold Mines temporarily halted exploration work in northern Quebec after evacuating its staff because of a nearby wildfire.
Many evacuees have moved to Thunder Bay, where emergency services continue supporting displaced residents.
