Canadian Armed Forces deployed to assist northwestern Ontario wildfire evacuations
It said the province's northwest region had 26 active fires as of Saturday night, seven of which were out of control.
Videos and photos on social media showed one fire approaching a construction site near Sandy Lake First Nation on Saturday, with multiple cargo containers catching on fire and crews reportedly escaping the blaze by sheltering in one of them.
Manitoba-based construction company Sigfusson Northern confirmed their crew was safely evacuated after they were working on a job site near the First Nation.
'Our crews showed an extreme level of professionalism and courage in the face of a rapidly changing situation,' the company said in a social media post.
Other provinces, including Manitoba and Saskatchewan, are also undergoing evacuation efforts in some areas due to wildfires.
The wildfires have prompted air quality alerts in Ontario. Environment Canada warned that smoke is causing poor air quality and reduced visibility in areas including Sioux Lookout, Summer Beaver and Ear Falls.
The weather agency added that some northeastern areas, including Timmins, Kapuskasing and Attawapiskat, are under a special air quality statement Sunday due to the smoke.
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