Ontario asks federal government for potential wildfire evacuation help in the north

Ontario has asked the federal government to be ready to help evacuate communities by aircraft across the north where dozens of forest fires are burning out of control. 

Ontario Emergency Preparedness Minister Jill Dunlop wrote in a letter to federal Emergency Management Minister Eleanor Olszewski that 15 communities in the north have already started evacuations or are considering them. The situation may continue to escalate rapidly, she said.

Dunlop said it is likely there will be simultaneous evacuations that need to be done by air, with several communities in the north not accessible by road and Ontario may not have enough resources to meet that need. Ontario is asking the federal government to ensure aircraft and crews could be deployed in 24 hours or less in case the province needs assistance.

Olszewski said in a social media post that Ontario's request was "precautionary in nature" and she is in close contact with Dunlop to ensure that federal resources are quickly mobilized. She noted that four federally funded wildfire-fighting helicopters have been sent to Ontario and that Indigenous Services Canada is helping affected First Nation communities.

Prime Minister Mark Carney said his government is in close contact with its counterparts in Ontario and other provinces affected by wildfires. 

"We'll stand ready and we'll be providing additional assistance as needed because Canadians always look after each other," Carney said at an unrelated press conference in London, Ont. 

Premier Doug Ford has said crews and aircraft are hard at work fighting more than 180 wildfires across northern Ontario, and the province will spare no expense in keeping people safe.

Winds out of the northwest could fan the flames of dozens of forest fires that have already devastated communities, including one fast-moving blaze that damaged and destroyed homes and buildings on Namaygoosisagagun First Nation, also known as Collins First Nation, north of Thunder Bay.

Environment Canada said the community of Armstrong can expect widespread smoke with wind gusts of up to 40 kilometres per hour for most of Thursday.

The fires have prompted evacuation orders for several communities, including Armstrong, Lac La Croix First Nation, Collins First Nation, Whitesand First Nation, Gull Bay First Nation and Lac des Mille Lacs First Nation.

Residents of Hutchison, Ramsay Wright, Trottier and Weaver townships are under an evacuation alert as officials warn people in those areas to prepare to leave on short notice.

The alert comes as wildfires west of Thunder Bay saw significant growth earlier this week.

Ontario forest fire officials say there are 136 active fires in the northwest region, with 63 out of control. Another 44 fires are burning in the northeast. 

Sixteen new wildfires were discovered Wednesday, while several fires raging north of Thunder Bay merged into a larger fire. 

The province has said there have been 483 fires in Ontario so far this year, up from 351 as of this time last year and above the province's 10-year average by mid-July of 320. 

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 16, 2026.

By Allison Jones and Kathryn Mannie | Copyright 2026, The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.