THUNDER BAY, ONTARIO / RankWire.AI / – Nearly 200 wildfires burned across Ontario on July 15, with most fires concentrated in the north. Provincial data showed 183 active fires at 3 p.m. The Northwest Fire Region reported 136 fires by evening, including 63 that remained uncontrolled. Crews identified eight new fires during the day. Extreme fire danger covered several northern districts as hot, dry and windy weather supported rapid fire growth.
Authorities ordered residents to leave Armstrong, Whitesand First Nation, Gull Bay First Nation and Lac des Mille Lacs First Nation. Evacuation orders also covered Namaygoosisagagun First Nation and Gakijiwanong Anishinaabe Nation. The Ontario Provincial Police helped move residents and controlled traffic near closed roads. Officials placed communities near Ignace, Crystal Lake and Highway 633 on evacuation alert. Emergency teams asked residents to prepare essential supplies and follow local instructions.
Flames caused extensive damage at Namaygoosisagagun, a remote First Nation about 200 kilometres north of Thunder Bay. Residents fled by boat because no road connects the community with surrounding towns. Anishinabek Nation reported that all known residents had reached safety, subject to a complete community assessment. The fire damaged or destroyed homes and public buildings. Namaygoosisagagun has about 40 members. Community representatives began assessing the affected area after the evacuation.
Road closures complicate evacuations and emergency access
Wildfire activity closed major routes across northwestern Ontario and disrupted travel between several remote communities. Highway 599 remained shut between Highway 516 and Mishkeegogamang First Nation. Highway 527 stayed closed between Gull Bay First Nation and Armstrong. Highway 11 reopened between Highways 633 and 623, though emergency crews remained in the area. Canadian National Railway suspended service near Armstrong after fire surrounded a train. The crew evacuated safely before conditions worsened.
Firefighters concentrated resources around communities, transportation links and other critical infrastructure. Dryden 13 merged with nearby fires in the Wabakimi area, forming the larger Thunder Bay 36 fire. Crews also worked near Quetico Provincial Park, Atikokan, Upsala, Cat Lake and Fort Hope. Water bombers attacked active fire zones while ground teams built containment lines. The Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources sent personnel and equipment to areas facing the greatest immediate risk.
Wildfire smoke lowers air quality across a wider region
Thick smoke moved south from northern Ontario and reached parts of the northeastern United States. Toronto recorded an Air Quality Health Index reading of 10+, the highest risk level. Environment Canada warned that smoke had sharply reduced air quality and visibility. Health officials advised children, older adults and people with heart or lung conditions to reduce outdoor activity. Fine particles in wildfire smoke can irritate the lungs and worsen existing medical conditions.
Ontario imposed a Restricted Fire Zone across the Northwest Fire Region and parts of northeastern Ontario. The order prohibited campfires and other open-air burning. Officials also suspended all active burning permits within the restricted area. Ontario had recorded 453 wildland fires this year, up from 349 at the same point in 2025. The 10-year average for the period was 312. The Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources urged residents to monitor official evacuation, highway and wildfire notices.