Author Archives: This Media Release

Sault Ste. Marie – Open-Air Burning Ban

Effective as of immediately, on July 16th, 2026, and until further notice, an Open-Air Burning ban for the municipality of Sault Ste. Marie, ON has been implemented. All Open-Air Burning within the municipality of Sault Ste. Marie is temporarily banned. During this ban, Sault Ste. Marie Fire Services will not be renewing or issuing permits. Any individual burning during the ...

Read More »

U.S. Ambassador to Canada Pete Hoekstra on the Wildfire Situation in Canada

July 15, 2026 Over 800 wildfires are burning across Canada, with the largest alone rivaling the size of Washington, D.C., sending heavy smoke across the country and into communities on both sides of the border. Canadians living near these fires are already facing hazardous air quality, and that same smoke is now settling over the United States, including my home ...

Read More »

Schreiner: Smoky skies should be a massive red alert for Ford

Ontario Greens Leader Mike Schreiner released the following statement in response to worsening wildfires and air quality across the province: “Thank you to first responders, as thousands of people are forced to evacuate their homes and communities. The Ford government can no longer ignore the very real and dangerous impacts of the climate crisis. Highways across the Northwest are shut ...

Read More »

Manitouwadge issues Fire Ban

Jul 15, 2026 at 23:38 Out of an abundance of caution Manitouwadge will be under a Municipal fire ban until further notice. NO OPEN AIR BURNING IS PERMITTED. Although we fall outside of the restricted fire zone. We feel implementing a Municipal fire ban is the right choice, for the safety of the residents of Manitouwadge. With MNRF crews hard ...

Read More »

Northwest Forest Fire Update – July 15

Jul 15, 2026 at 21:21 Updated: July 15, 2026 at 7:58 p.m. Central Daylight Time (CDT) A total of 8 new wildland fires were discovered in the Northwest Region by the evening of July 15. Sioux Lookout Sector Sioux Lookout 97 (SLK097) is located on an island, on Pashkokogan Lake. The 0.1-hectare fire is not under control. Nipigon Sector Nipigon 57 (NIP057) is located near ...

Read More »

Northeast Forest Fire Update – July 15

Jul 15, 2026 at 21:19 Updated: July 15, 2026 at 8:10 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) Eight new wildland fires were confirmed in the Northeast Region today. Wawa 17 (WAW017) is a 12 hectare fire and is not under control. It is located approximately 4 kilometers east of White Lake. Wawa 18 (WAW018) is a 0.1 hectare fire and is not under control. ...

Read More »

Chiefs of Ontario call for Provincial and Federal to coordinate emergency support

Jul 15, 2026 at 18:22 The Chiefs of Ontario are calling on the federal and provincial governments to immediately provide coordinated emergency support as escalating wildfires threaten First Nations across northern Ontario. As of July 15, First Nations Leadership from the Ontario region have held several meetings to discuss the emerging wildfire crisis in the North. The sessions opened with ...

Read More »

Evacuation Alert issued by Dryden, Fort Frances, Atikokan District

An evacuation alert has been issued by Dryden Fort Frances Atikokan District due to the evolving situation and increased fire behaviour of multiple wildland fires including Fort Frances 14, Fort Frances 15 and Fort Frances 38. People residing or utilizing the area near the fires are strongly encouraged to prepare to evacuate on short notice. This includes the following townships: ...

Read More »

Wildfire destroys Namaygoosisagagun First Nation Community and Homes

July 15, 2026 – Anishinabek Nation Grand Council Chief Linda Debassige shares a statement on the recent wildfire that has devastated Namaygoosisagagun First Nation: “It is with heartfelt sadness that I share that our member First Nation, Namaygoosisagagun First Nation, has been devastated by an unexpected and fast-moving wildfire that advanced toward and through the community, causing extensive damage and ...

Read More »

Kiashke Zaaging Anishinaabek (Gull Lake) Evacuation Update

Jul 15, 2026 at 16:48 July 15, 2026 at 4:30 p.m. – Fantastic news for KZA Evacuees in so far as some local accommodation here in Thunder Bay has been freed up for KZA registered evacuees members (courtesy of KZA’s advocacy to push for priority placements – given that there is another community which has not yet come in AND ...

Read More »

Ontario Forest Fires

We are currently responding to 183 active wildland fires, most of which are in the Northwest Region. We are continuing to see extreme hazard levels, and increased fire activity following recent lighting events, mainly in the Northwest Region. Due to current conditions, the fire situation continues to be dynamic, with volatile and rapidly changing fire behaviour. We encourage those living ...

Read More »

Wawa MAT Fund Committee Now Accepting Applications for Municipal Accommodation Tax (MAT) Funding

The Wawa MAT Fund Committee is now accepting applications for funding through the Municipal Accommodation Tax (MAT). The Wawa MAT Fund is a non-repayable contribution to support tourism-related projects, events, and initiatives that strengthen the local visitor economy and enhance community vibrancy. Municipal Accommodation Tax revenues are collected from local motels/hotels and short-term rentals from patrons. The funds collected are ...

Read More »

Le comité du fonds MAT de Wawa accepte désormais les demandes de financement au titre de la taxe municipale sur l’hébergement (MAT)

Le comité du fonds MAT de Wawa accepte désormais les demandes de financement dans le cadre de la taxe municipale sur l’hébergement (MAT). Le fonds MAT de Wawa constitue une contribution non remboursable destinée à soutenir les projets, événements et initiatives liés au tourisme qui renforcent l’économie touristique locale et dynamisent la communauté. Les recettes de la taxe municipale sur ...

Read More »

Rainbow Falls Provincial Park – Full Fire Ban in Place

Jul 14, 2026 at 23:28 Effective Wednesday, July 15th at 12:00 AM a Full Fire Ban has been issued for all of Rainbow Falls. This means no open fires are permitted within the park at any time. Fire hazard conditions are monitored daily and fire bans are lifted as soon as conditions improve. Visit our website for up-to-date information: https://www.ontarioparks.ca/park/rainbowfalls/alerts ...

Read More »

Netmizaaggamig Nishnaabeg (Pic Mobert FN) – Fire Ban

July 14, 2026 By order of the Netmizaaggamig Nishnaabeg Chief and Council, effective immediately, no outdoor burning is allowed. The region’s Forest Fire Danger Ratingis high. There is one active forest fire East of Netmizaaggamig, WAW014, near Depew River. At the time of this memo, its size is 12.5ha, and the status report is being held. With the lack of ...

Read More »