Northern Ont. communities evacuating due to spreading wildfires
Communities affected by wildfires in the region are evacuating for safety reasons.
Ontario’s Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry said there is significant danger as several out-of-control wildfires affect air quality and physical safety.
“The Highway 810, Massey Tote Road area … we’re asking folks to leave that area immediately,” said ministry spokesperson Shayne McCool.
The MNRF also ordered the evacuation of campers and cottagers north of Abitibi Lake, East of Iroquois falls, where one of the region’s largest fires is raging on at more than 4,200 hectares.
A similar sized fire is burning in the Sudbury area, which quadrupled from just more than 1,000 hectares within 24 hours.
There are currently 33 active fires in the region, 29 of them not under control and all discovered within the last two weeks.
Ontario’s fire season is off to a scorching start. Last year saw a total of 78 wildfires and this year has already far surpassed that with 167.
“The 10-year average for this time of year is 157 fires,” said McCool.
“So, you can see we’ve now climbed over our 10-year average and we are seeing new fire starts regularly, throughout this week.”
McCool said much of the spike in forest fires can be attributed to lightning and dry conditions, but that the ministry will investigate the cause of every fire.
Meanwhile, smoke from those fires is affecting nearby communities. Mattagami First Nation, south of Timmins, is evacuating vulnerable people. Apitipi Anicinapek Nation, just by Abitibi Lake, is also considering evacuation plans.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Body of Quebec man who died in Cuba found in Russia, family confirms
A Montreal-area family confirmed to CTV News that the body of their loved one who died while on vacation in Cuba is being repatriated to Canada after it was mistakenly sent to Russia.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
Saskatchewan isn't remitting the carbon tax on home heating. Why isn't my province following suit?
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
RCMP officers had no legal authority to enter man's home, make arrest: B.C. court
A B.C. man has been found not guilty of assaulting two RCMP officers – with the court finding he was resisting an "unlawful entry and arrest" in his home before he was tasered, taken down and hauled away in handcuffs.