Tourism Industry Association of Canada reposted this
Destination Northern Ontario and Nature and Outdoor Tourism Ontario are closely monitoring the evolving wildfire situation in Northwestern Ontario. Several communities remain under evacuation orders, and active wildfires may affect travel in parts of Northwestern Ontario. Visitors planning to travel to the region are encouraged to check current conditions, monitor official wildfire updates, and follow all travel advisories before departing. While many destinations across Northern Ontario remain open and continue to welcome visitors, conditions can change quickly in areas impacted by active wildfires. The impacts of these fires have been significant, with some tourism operators experiencing major losses, including lodges, businesses, and tourism assets impacted or destroyed by wildfire. Communities, local infrastructure, communications, and resources have been affected as emergency responders, municipalities, Indigenous communities, tourism operators, and residents work together through this challenging situation. Effective Wednesday, July 15 at 12:01 a.m. (local time), a Restricted Fire Zone (RFZ) is in effect across the Northwest Region and parts of the Northeast Region. Open-air burning is prohibited within the boundaries of the RFZ. Smoke from wildland fires in Northwestern Ontario and parts of the United States may also affect air quality across portions of Northeastern Ontario. Residents and travellers may notice smoke and haze as conditions change. For the latest wildfire information and travel advisories, please consult official sources before travelling: • Ontario Forest Fires: https://lnkd.in/gB6afNGP • Interactive Smoke Forecast Map: https://firesmoke.ca Our thoughts are with the residents, Indigenous communities, tourism operators, emergency responders, and everyone working tirelessly to protect lives, property, businesses, and communities during this challenging time. Destination Northern Ontario will continue to monitor the situation and share updates as needed. We encourage everyone to make informed travel decisions, respect all emergency measures and local restrictions, and support affected communities as recovery efforts continue.