Fires from coast to coast: A look at the wildfire situation across the country

More than 80 of the fires are out of control and information from the Ministry of Natural Resources shows that 20 new fires were confirmed Friday in the northeast region alone.

CN Rail says it is rerouting as much traffic as possible to its network that runs through the U.S. south of the Great Lakes after it halted all freight operations on a stretch of track in northwestern Ontario.

Flames have razed the Namaygoosisagagun First Nation, also known as Collins First Nation, north of Thunder Bay. 

Ten northern communities have been evacuated or have evacuations underway, and four more preparing for possible evacuations.

BRITISH COLUMBIA

The number of active wildfires in British Columbia spiked for a second straight day after thunderstorms rolled through parts of the province’s south overnight.

Patricia Ross, board chair with the Fraser Valley Regional District, says rapid damage assessments found the Ainslie Creek wildfire north of Boston Bar, B.C., has destroyed at least seven buildings, including four homes or seasonal cabins.

That blaze, and another nearby, make up the Brunswick complex spanning just over 200 square kilometres.

The flames had flared up after a lull, prompting wildfire officials to recommend upgrading an evacuation alert to an order for Boston Bar, a community of about 170 residents, on Thursday.

Gordon Robinson, a fire information officer assigned to the complex, says conditions are cooler and more humid on Friday, allowing crews to restart their direct attack. But Robinson says a return to hot, dry conditions is forecasted for the coming days.

NOVA SCOTIA

As many as 150 people have been ordered out of a rural area northeast of Halifax because of an out-of-control wildfire. The mandatory evacuation covers part of Mooseland Road, stretching south to Highway 7.

The province says the fire has grown to 17 square kilometres. Crews have been battling it since Wednesday.

Natural Resources Minister Tory Rushton says Nova Scotia is entering a period of hot and dry weather and the wildfire risk is increasing. He says about 100 wildfires have been recorded this year, more than double the number of fires seen last year at this time.

MANITOBA

About 600 members of O-Pipon-Na-Piwin Cree Nation remain out of their homes due to a fire about 172 square kilometres in size.

The remote community in northern Manitoba was evacuated June 26.

NORTHWEST TERRITORIES

Fires forced about 1,300 residents of Fort Simpson and 130 from Wrigley from the communities in late June. They remain out, with many staying in Yellowknife.

Officials say the fire north of Wrigley has moved closer to the community, but cooler temperatures are expected to help. The fire near Fort Simpson remains out of control with hot and dry conditions.

AIR QUALITY

Environment Canada has air quality warnings in place for a wide swath of the country, including southern Ontario, where millions of people are being choked out by thick, gritty air.

The agency says the hazy, smoky conditions may briefly improve during the day before poor air quality returns in the evening. The weather agency says smoky skies could persist into the weekend. 

The smoke has reached major cities in the United States, including New York, Chicago and Detroit. Some American lawmakers have taken note, criticizing Canada’s forest management practices.

President Donald Trump threatened Friday to increase tariffs on Canada due to the smoke, while soccer officials are watching anxiously to see how the smoke will affect Sunday’s FIFA World Cup final match in New Jersey.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 17, 2026.

The Canadian Press

by The Canadian Press

Fires from coast to coast: A look at the wildfire situation across the country

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