Wildfire surrounds train near Armstrong as Northern Ontario fires force evacuations

A train was surrounded by an advancing wildfire near Armstrong in Northern Ontario as massive forest fires continued to spread across the region, forcing evacuations, disrupting railway operations and prompting authorities to halt several freight trains carrying combustible materials.

Videos circulating on social media showed the locomotive engulfed by towering flames, with fire burning on both sides of the railway tracks. The footage, posted on X on July 15 by Sol Mamakwa, Member of Provincial Parliament for Kiiwetinoong in northwestern Ontario, captured thick smoke and an orange glow surrounding the locomotive as crew members reacted to the rapidly deteriorating conditions.

"This could potentially overtake us," one crew member was heard saying in the video.

The incident occurred after members of the train crew detached from the locomotive to rescue a foreman. While attempting the rescue in dense smoke and poor visibility, the detached unit reportedly collided with its own train, igniting additional fires before the crew abandoned the locomotive and escaped on foot.

All crew members were reported to have survived the incident safely.

Rail traffic halted amid wildfire threat

In a public advisory posted on X, the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) said three trains carrying combustible and flammable materials had been stopped and staged in the Allanwater Subdivision near Collins, Ontario, because of wildfire activity.

The police said there was no immediate threat to public safety but that emergency responders, railway officials, emergency management partners and other responding agencies were working together to assess conditions and support ongoing public safety measures.

The OPP urged residents to stay away from the affected railway corridor, avoid entering the area for sightseeing, photography or recreational activities, obey all road closures and directions from emergency personnel, and continue monitoring official sources for updates.

Evacuations expand as wildfires continue to spread 

The railway disruption came as northwestern Ontario continued to battle widespread forest fires.

According to Global News, residents in several communities have been ordered to evacuate because of nearby wildfires. The OPP said mandatory evacuation orders remain in effect for Armstrong, Lac La Croix First Nation, Collins First Nation, Whitesand First Nation and Lac des Mille Lacs First Nation, while sections of several highways have also been closed.

The OPP also advised residents in Ignace, Crystal Lake and the Highway 633 area to prepare for possible evacuations.

Sol Mamakwa said the wildfire had destroyed Collins First Nation and was threatening other communities, including parts of the Rainy River District and Gull Bay First Nation.

Officials at Wabakimi Provincial Park said the park would remain closed until July 20 because of extreme forest fire conditions and evacuation orders affecting nearby communities.

An alert issued by Emergency Management Ontario advised residents in wildfire-affected areas to evacuate south towards Thunder Bay.

Hundreds of fires remain active

Ontario wildfire officials said the province was responding to 160 active wildland fires, including 128 in the northwestern region as of Monday evening.

According to the ministry, 53 of those fires were not under control, eight were being held, four were under control and 63 were being observed.

Images and videos shared on social media showed towering flames and large plumes of grey and black smoke rising from several wildfire zones across the region.

Meanwhile, Environment Canada placed much of northern Ontario under a severe heat warning on Tuesday, with humidex values making temperatures feel as high as 40°C.