HALDIMAND — While local residents around Haldimand and across Ontario dealt with the headaches, dry eyes, and sore throats that come with extended exposure to wildfire smoke, thousands of Ontarians and First Nations members across northwestern Ontario have been forced to evacuate in the face of another season of out-of-control wildfires.
Residents in Collins First Nation, located near Armstrong, Ontario had to evacuate by boat last week to flee rapidly advancing flames, with the community subsequently destroyed by the blaze in less than an hour.
Three days earlier on July 13, a CN freight train became surrounded by flames nearby, with crew members recording shocking video footage of the blaze threatening to overtake the train. While all crew members were evacuated safely, the incident caused the closure of nearby sections of track.
That fire had grown to over 350,000 hectares as of July 16, 2026.
It’s one of 904 active wildfires as of publication across the country, 98 of which were classified as out of control as of Monday, July 20. Of those, the lion’s share are in Ontario, which housed 191 active wildfires as of Friday, July 17, 81 of which were deemed out of control at that time.
In total, as of July 20, 12 communities in Ontario have been evacuated this fire season.
—Haldimand Press photo by Mike Renzella.
Prime Minister Mark Carney addressed the fires in a social media post, thanking the “brave firefighters, first responders, Indigenous, and local leaders who are working tirelessly to keep people safe…. Our government is in close contact with provincial, municipal, and Indigenous partners and stands ready to provide any additional support as needed.”
For Canadians, the smoky, hazy, smog-filled skies are starting to feel like a summer tradition after years of sustained fires.
Locally, the wildfire smoke-filled skies led to the closure of local outdoor amenities, with pool closures in effect until Sunday, July 19, the same day Haldimand lifted its air quality advisory.
During the advisory, people with chronic conditions, young children, and pets were advised to stay indoors as much as possible to lower the risk of exposure to the smoke.
“Poor air quality can affect everyone, but people with heart or lung conditions, older adults, infants and young children, pregnant people, people who work or exercise outdoors, and individuals without stable housing may be more affected,” read a release from Grand Erie Public Health, which listed common symptoms of smoke exposure, such as irritation of the eyes, nose, throat, lungs, as well as coughing, shortness of breath, headaches, or dizziness.
The SPCA advised limited outdoor time for pets to go to the washroom, but no long walks while conditions are bad.
In a news conference, Premier Doug Ford thanked the 150 fire crews on the ground as of Friday morning, along with over 80 water bombers and helicopters deployed and an additional 39 aircraft ready to be deployed to high needs areas.
He also lashed out at what he called “despicable and disgusting” behaviour from his political opponents, accusing them of mischaracterizing government spending on fighting wildfires.
“Our government will not spare a single penny to protect communities and keep people safe,” said the premier.
Ford noted that while $150 million is the province’s current baseline budget for wildfire fighting, the actual amount will be significantly higher.
He listed the $135 million initial budget in 2025-26; spending topped out at $271 million.
Ford argued that comparing this year’s initial budget to last year’s overall spend equates to false information being spread.
“In a time of a crisis, all levels of government need to come together, whether you’re opposition or not,” said Ford.
Haldimand-Norfolk MPP Bobbi Ann Brady also addressed the fires, expressing thoughts to the victims forced to evacuate, and those working to contain the fires.
“Over the past few days, I have heard from people with loved ones on the front lines. Their stories paint a sobering picture – 16-hour days, weeks away from their families, dangerous working conditions, and exposure to smoke and other hazards that can have lifelong health consequences,” wrote Brady in her post.
“When this crisis is over, we owe it to them to ask some difficult questions.”
Brady questioned whether the provincial response has been enough.
“We also need to have a serious conversation about proactive forest management. Reducing fuel loads, implementing FireSmart principles around communities and transportation corridors, strengthening our resource sector, and better protecting northern and Indigenous communities should all be part of a long-term strategy. Prevention is almost always less costly – financially and emotionally – than rebuilding after disaster,” wrote the MPP.
