Ontario seeing more and larger wildfires this year, officials say
The number and size of wildfires in northern Ontario this year are substantially higher than average, and have forced thousands of people to flee First Nations communities, the government said Monday.
This year there have been 902 wildfires so far, nearly double the 10-year average of 520. There are currently 151 active wildfires, mostly in the northwest, officials said.
More than 520,000 hectares have been burned by those fires, which is more than three times the average of about 153,000.
The Nishnawbe Aski Nation, which represents 49 First Nations in northern Ontario, as well as the NDP, have called on the province to declare a state of emergency over the wildfires.
But the province says the situation doesn't meet the legal conditions to declare the state of emergency. In addition to there being a danger of major proportions, there must be a lack of available resources to support the emergency. Sufficient resources are currently being deployed, the government said.
Premier Doug Ford said he would be going to visit the Thunder Bay command centre on Wednesday.
"We're throwing every single resource we have up there," he said, speaking Monday in Ottawa.
"Anything they need they're going to get. I will spare no expense."
Several First Nation communities and municipalities have declared their own states of emergency.
One fire that is 17,598 hectares in size is a little over six kilometres away from Poplar Hill First Nation and is not under control. Another fire not under control is eight kilometres away from Cat Lake First Nation.
More than 3,000 people have been evacuated from affected First Nation communities, but based on the weather outlook the government said 5,000 more may need to leave their homes.
There is some rain in the forecast, officials said, but "significantly more precipitation" would be needed to moderate the fire hazard.
The higher number of fires and larger size this year are the result of extreme drought conditions across most of northern Ontario, where wildfires are sparking easily after lightning strikes, officials said.
Speaking in a background briefing Monday, government officials said it's difficult to attribute any specific fire season to climate change since each year varies widely depending on weather, but that climate change is expected to increase the number and risks of the fires.
Evacuees have been moved to communities across the north, but some are being hosted as far away as the Greater Toronto Area.
Solicitor General Sylvia Jones and Northern Development, Mines, Natural Resources and Forestry Minister Greg Rickford said the government has committed significant resources to fighting the fires and helping those affected.
"All requests for evacuations have been facilitated by the province, and over 600 wildland firefighters continue their efforts to contain and suppress the fires in the northwest, utilizing all available land and aerial equipment to protect people and property."
All residents of Poplar Hill First Nation and Deer Lake First Nation have been evacuated, as well as vulnerable residents of Pikangikum First Nation, North Spirit Lake First Nation, and Cat Lake First Nation, the government said.
Wildfire smoke is affecting air quality and visibility all the way south to the Toronto area and to the Kingston area. Environment Canada issued an advisory, saying smoke is currently "expected or occurring," and high levels of air pollution are possible as a result.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 26, 2021.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Trudeau promises $1B in loans for child-care providers to expand care centres
The federal government is launching a new loan program to help child-care providers in Canada expand their spaces, and will be extending further student loan forgiveness and training options for early childhood educators, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Thursday.
Spring allergy season has begun. Where is it worse in Canada?
The spring allergy season has started early in many parts of Canada, with high levels of pollen in some cities already. Experts weigh in on which areas have it worse so far this season.
Sunshine list: These were the Ontario public sector's highest earners in 2023
Ontario released its annual sunshine list Thursday afternoon, noting that the largest year-over-year increases were in hospitals, municipalities, and post-secondary sectors.
Several flight attendants from Pakistan have gone missing after landing in Canada
Multiple flight attendants from Pakistan International Airlines have abandoned their jobs and are believed to have sought asylum in Canada in the past year and a half, a spokesperson for the government-owned airline says.
N.B. man wins $64 million from Lotto 6/49
A New Brunswicker will go to bed Thursday night much richer than he was Wednesday after collecting on a winning lottery ticket he let sit on his bedroom dresser for nearly a year.
'Nonsense:' Doug Ford slams lawsuits filed by Ontario school boards against social media platforms
Premier Doug Ford says that lawsuits launched by four Ontario school boards against a trio of social media platforms are “nonsense” and risk becoming a distraction to the work that really matters.
Why some Christians are angry about Trump's 'God Bless the USA' Bible
Former U.S. President Donald Trump is officially selling a copy of the Bible themed to Lee Greenwood’s famous song, 'God Bless the USA.' But the concept of a Bible covered in the American flag has raised concern among religious circles.
Multiple bridges in Calgary shut down for police incident
Calgary police have shut down a number of bridges into and out of the downtown core as officers deal with a distraught individual.
King Charles calls for acts of friendship in first public remarks since Kate's cancer diagnosis
King Charles III gave public remarks for Maundy Thursday, addressing the importance of acts of friendship, following his and Catherine, Princess of Wales’ cancer diagnoses.