Ontario Seeks Federal Troops as 135 Wildfires Force 15 Community Evacuations
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Jul 16
Ontario Seeks Federal Troops as 135 Wildfires Force 15 Community Evacuations
3 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Jul 16
Summary
Ontario formally asked Ottawa to prepare federal help, including possible military support and short-notice air evacuations, as officials warned the wildfire threat could escalate quickly.
About 135 active fires were burning across northwestern Ontario by Wednesday night, with more than half a dozen new blazes reported late and Thursday maps showing little sign of relief.
Fifteen rural communities were evacuating or weighing evacuation, including fly-in First Nations reserves such as Cat Lake, Eabametoong and McDowell Lake that require aircraft access.
More than 150 fire crews and nearly 50 aircraft are battling fires concentrated around Thunder Bay, while teams from Alberta and Yukon have been sent to assist.
Smoke from the fires spread into the United States and hit Toronto, where air quality reached 10+—"very high risk"—prompting residents to stay indoors and some outdoor facilities to close.
Is Canada's investment in new aircraft ignoring the real solution: ancient Indigenous fire management?
Wildfire smoke leaves a 'biological scar'. What is the health plan for a generation raised in smoke?
July 2026 Wildfires in Canada: Emergency Response, Systemic Challenges, and Building Future Preparedness
Overview
As of July 16, 2026, Canada is facing a severe wildfire crisis that has upended thousands of lives and triggered a national emergency. The fires have caused immediate and profound impacts, especially for remote and First Nations communities like Namaygoosisagagun, who faced evacuation without timely emergency support. The crisis has also led to hazardous air quality in major cities such as Toronto, showing how wildfire smoke can affect regions far from the flames. These events highlight the urgent need for coordinated response efforts and reveal the challenges in protecting vulnerable populations during large-scale disasters.