Residents in parts of northern Ontario ordered out because of growing forest fires
Written by The Canadian Press on July 14, 2026
Residents of a handful of communities in northwestern Ontario have been ordered to leave their homes due to nearby forest fires.
Ontario Provincial Police said on social media that evacuation orders are in place for Armstrong, Lac La Croix First Nation, Collins First Nation, Whitesand First Nation and Lac des Mille Lacs First Nation.
These communities are under mandatory evacuation orders and parts of several highways in the area are closed, police said.
The fire is also threatening other communities in the area including Rainy River District and Gull Bay First Nation.
The OPP said those in Ignace, Crystal Lake and the Highway 633 area should prepare for possible evacuations.
Officials at Wabakimi Provincial Park said it will be closed until July 20 due to the extreme forest fire conditions in and around the park and the evacuation orders for surrounding communities.
An alert from Emergency Management Ontario said residents should leave the areas impacted by wildfires and head south to Thunder Bay.
Ontario forest fire officials said the province is currently responding to 160 active wildland fires. There were 128 active fires in the northwest region as of Monday evening, they said.
“Of those fires, 53 are not under control, eight fires are being held, four fires are under control 63 fires are being observed,” the ministry’s website said.
Photos and videos posted on social media appear to show large grey and black plumes of smoke and towering flames from wildfires.
Environment Canada had much of northern Ontario under a severe heat warning on Tuesday, with the humidex making it feel as hot as 40 C.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 14, 2026.
Maan Alhmidi, The Canadian Press