Northern Ont. town on the brink of evacuation as out-of-control wildfire grows
Forest fires in northern Ontario are on the rise, with the largest in the region shutting down a critical highway for the people of Hornepayne for a bit and bringing the community to the brink of evacuation.
Highway 631 first closed May 29 due to a wildfire causing extremely dangerous conditions. It reopened briefly Tuesday afternoon before reclosing due to poor visibility. The highway reopened again early Wednesday morning.
Thick smoke from an out of control forest fire hangs above Highway 631 near White River. May 29/23 (Ontario Provincial Police)
A blaze, known as Wawa 3, between the communities of White River and Hornepayne is the second largest forest fire in the Ontario and is growing, fire officials said.
The out-of-control fire started May 27 and has grown to 5,770.4 hectares in size as of Wednesday morning.
Officials said the blaze is spreading to the northeast away from White River and is roughly 40 kilometres from Hornepayne.
"Throughout the day we’ve seen it grow significantly," Kyle Hayward from the aviation forest fire emergency service to CTV News on Tuesday.
"That’s to be expected as the temperature, right now, is still in the 25 to 30 degree C range and relative humidity levels are fairly low. There’s still a significant amount of wind adding fuel to this fire."
Officials in the Township of Hornepayne said they are in regular contact with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry and Ontario Provincial Police. They said the emergency management team has been working tirelessly.
A fire ban, including fireworks, is in effect in the community.
- Download our app to get local alerts on your device
- Get the latest local updates right to your inbox
It's been over five years since the town has been impacted by forest fires and Mayor Cheryl Fort told CTV News they want to ensure if evacuation is needed, it can happen calmly.
"I think all of us can join together in northern Ontario and know the fear and anxiety that forest fires can create when they’re close and around our community," Fort said.
"Throughout the summer, we hear of many evacuations and things that are happening across the north and we feel for all of the communities and it just happens that Hornepayne is at the brink of it now."
Smoke and flames seen from closed Highway 631 near White River. May 29/23 (Ontario Provincial Police)
There are currently 10 active fires in the north with region with six in the northeast as of Wednesday at 1 p.m.
Three of the fires are deemed "not under control," Wawa 3, the smaller Wawa 2 -- west of White River that is 105 hectares in size -- and one in Sioux Lookout that is 10,253 hectares.
Thick forest fire smoke seen from Highway 631 near White River. May 29/23 (Ontario Provincial Police)
Find the latest information on the forest fires here.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Flights divert around western Iran as one report claims explosions heard near Isfahan
Commercial flights began diverting their routes early Friday morning over western Iran without explanation as one semiofficial news agency in the Islamic Republic claimed there had been 'explosions' heard over the city of Isfahan.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Nearly half of China's major cities are sinking, researchers say
Nearly half of China's major cities are suffering 'moderate to severe' levels of subsidence, putting millions at risk of flooding especially as sea levels rise.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Judge says 'no evidence fully supports' murder case against Umar Zameer as jury starts deliberations
The judge presiding over the trial of a man accused of fatally running over a Toronto police officer is telling jurors the possible verdicts they may reach based on the evidence in the case.
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
Colin Jost names one celebrity who is great at hosting 'Saturday Night Live'
Colin Jost, who co-anchors Saturday Night Live's 'Weekend Update,' revealed who he thinks is one of the best hosts on the show.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn't over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball's highest scorer Caitlin Clark's first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
'Shopaholic' author Sophie Kinsella reveals brain cancer diagnosis
Sophie Kinsella, the best-selling author behind the 'Shopaholic' book series, has revealed that she is receiving treatment for brain cancer.