Some residents in northern Ontario have been forced to evacuate due to the ongoing fire. One First Nations chief reported that his community had been “burned to ashes”.
Fires are also burning on the country’s west coast, where more than 59 fires were reported in British Columbia on Friday. The British Columbia Wildfire Service said 39 of those fires started in the past 24 hours and more than half (31 fires) are out of control, prompting firefighters to use aggressive methods to control them.
A large cluster of fires affecting parts of northwestern Ontario is bound to send thick smoke and poor air quality across the region and the US.
On Thursday, thick smoke blocked views across New York City, including the Empire State Building and the Statue of Liberty. Likewise, national monuments across Washington DC are blocked by dark conditions.
Officials have urged people to stay indoors, with some areas even handing out free masks, due to the negative health effects of inhaling the smoke.
It led to the cancellation of outdoor activities in all parts of the northern US, from Chicago and Detroit to parts of Pennsylvania and New England. Summer camps were moved indoors, concerts were rescheduled — and at least one beach was closed near the popular lake.
Poor air quality also affected air travel in some areas where poor visibility conditions at airports caused flight delays.
Bad weather also raised concerns about Sunday’s World Cup final between Argentina and Spain at MetLife Stadium – an open-air venue – in New Jersey, where Trump will attend.
White House officials – including Andrew Giuliani, head of the White House World Cup team – have held informal meetings with FIFA officials and other wildfire monitors, but no major, official meeting has been scheduled so far.
Forecasters believe rains in the area over the weekend will improve conditions before the two teams play at 1500e (2000 BST).
In addition to the noxious smoke billowing into the US, wildfires in northern Ontario have forced dozens of local First Nations communities to evacuate, with videos showing some fleeing the remote area by boat.
Members of the Namaygoosisagagun First Nation in the province’s north say they are “confused” after a fire broke out in the community with very little warning.
Matthew Hoppe, Namaygoosisagagun First Nation event manager, told the BBC his community was devastated by the wildfires in northern Ontario.
Members of the community had to “evacuate” themselves in small boats on Monday afternoon as the fire quickly approached, Hoppe said, adding that there were no deaths or direct injuries, he said, but the community was “completely grounded”.
The Chief of the Namaygoosisagagun Nation, Helen Paavola, told the local newspaper CityNews in an interview that the aerial flyover showed that her community was “burnt to ashes”.
Ford said 10 communities had to evacuate, with many now seeking refuge in cities in southern Ontario.
“It is a miracle that no one lost their life,” said the prime minister.
With additional reporting by Katie Williams and Nardine Saad
