Local News from Across the Rainy River District
Days before U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to slap higher tariffs on Canada because smoke from Canadian wildfires annoyed U.S. citizens, Ontario Premier Doug Ford visited evacuees staying in Thunder Bay who have lost everything. “I find it a shame the administration in the U.S. and Congress people writing these […]
As wildfires swallow swaths of northern Ontario, in what is already the worst wildfire season in the province’s history, the union representing forest firefighters is sounding the alarm over what he calls “government mismanagement at the highest levels.” Noah Freedman, vice president of Local 703 with the Ontario Public Service […]
Muskoka’s lakes are some of the most important breeding habitats for common loons anywhere in the world, but Birds Canada says the iconic birds are raising fewer chicks than three decades ago, making the actions of local cottagers, anglers and boaters more important than ever. The findings come from Birds […]
The number of wildfires burning across Northwestern Ontario continues to increase, with 146 active, 53 not under control, five being held, seven under control and 81 being observed, according to the latest update from Ontario Forest Fires (OFF). The closest large fires, Fort Frances 14 in Quetico Provincial Park and […]
Two charities, United Way of Thunder Bay and the Thunder Bay Community Foundation, have joined forces to create a fund in support of communities across Northwestern Ontario affected by the devastating wildfires that have raged across the region. According to its organizers, the Northwestern Ontario Wildfire Community Support Fund was created […]
With chickens being notorious for their fragility, heatwaves and poor air quality are making this a challenging summer for district poultry farmers, but not an impossible one. Lacking any sweat glands, chickens cool down primarily by panting and holding out their wings to let air cool their bodies. In heavy […]
The shuttering of Winnipeg’s Community Review means 200,000 households will no longer get the benefit of a free community newspaper delivered to their door. It also means that more than 800 people who deliver the paper and their families will be affected. This is an unforced error that never should […]
Despite some overnight rain and cooler conditions, Northwestern Ontario entered Tuesday with 140 active wildland fires, 47 not under control, six being held, seven under control and 80 being observed. The largest fires remain concentrated in the Thunder Bay-Ignace corridor, with several new starts recorded in the Fort Frances fire […]
THUNDER BAY – There are 157 empty cots set up at the Fort William Gardens. No one had walked into the evacuation centre to register yet when Premier Doug Ford and Minister of Emergency Preparedness and Response Jill Dunlop were there Saturday, she told reporters at a Toronto press conference […]
Kerry Collins’ dream-job of maintaining a remote angler’s paradise near Armstrong went up in flames last week. About a week later, the lodge and cabin operator is still coming to grips with the fallout of the devastating wildfire that destroyed his livelihood. “All our clients — they’re so heart-broken,” the […]
THUNDER BAY – Chief of Upsala’s Fire Department, Doug Kiezebrink said that while he hopes local leaders don’t have to make the call to send out Alert Ready notifications, he will if needed. Last week, Minister of Emergency Preparedness and Response Jill Dunlop reminded local leaders that they have the […]
Physical endurance. A tolerance for insects, smoke and being perpetually dirty. A love of the outdoors. These are a few of the prerequisites needed to fight wildfires in the Northwest Territories. Crews from across Canada travelled to Fort Simpson this summer after the territorial government made a request through the […]
