Your Kenora

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Efforts continue to restore power after storms passed through the Kenora area overnight. Environment Canada says a line of severe thunderstorms was tracking through the area at the time, bringing heavy rain, lightning and strong winds. It brought down a number of trees and knocked out power in several areas. Synergy North is still working to restore power to Coney Island, but says it could be tomorrow before service is fully restored.

The smell of smoke is being felt in some communities that previously were not impacted. It is coming from the multiple wildland fires burning across northwestern Ontario. The Northwestern Health Unit says residents should prepare for the poor air quality conditions to continue.

Chief Helen Paavola of Namaygoosisagagun, or Collins First Nation, describes waking up on Monday morning in Thunder Bay, prepared for a flight to Ottawa, and receiving pictures of wildland fires from members of her community. “They said, ‘Chief, look at this. It looks really close. This looks scary.’ And the picture was just of a big plume of smoke, and it did look very close,” she remarks.

Several northwestern Ontario communities are among those hosting people evacuated because of wildland fires. Thunder Bay, Kenora, Fort Frances, Lac Seul, Red Lake and Sioux Lookout are among those serving as temporary accommodations. Some residents are also staying in Sudbury, Niagara Falls and Toronto. Emergency Preparedness Minister Jill Dunlop says they have received interest from others who are prepared to host evacuees.

The Premier and his Natural Resources Minister are planning trips to northwestern Ontario to view the wildland fire situation. Mike Harris is scheduled to arrive in Thunder Bay tonight, with Doug Ford arriving tomorrow. It will be their first visits since the wildland fire situation started to increase last week.

A number of organizations across Thunder Bay are collecting donations of clothing, toiletries, food, toys and other essential supplies to support evacuees displaced by wildfires that have devastated communities across northwestern Ontario. Supplies/living essentials donations Mikinakoos Children’s Fund is accepting donations of supplies, toys and toiletries for evacuated children and families. Donors can connect through the organization’s website to coordinate deliveries.

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Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash Last Updated on July 17, 2026 10:40 am Acadia News reporter Jacob Henriksen-Willis brought northwestern Ontario’s wildfire story to a global audience Thursday night on BBC World Service. The discussion covered the viral video of a CN train passing through flames near Armstrong, evacuation efforts, and air quality concerns across the region. The interview aired Friday morning in the U.K. and was broadcast to audiences around the world. Do you have a news tip?