Sault research to help shape forest fire response | CTV News Northern Ontario at 11:30 July 20, 2026

[00:00:00]Tonight on CTV News at 11:30, keeping an eye on the wildfire data. Forecasting and predictions really hard for us to do and so that's where we're still learning.

[00:00:15]>> The Great Lakes Forestry Center says it's looking to learn [music] amidst the emergency.

[00:00:20]Plus, the province is stepping in to help with flood recovery. after what they saw, they was no doubt that uh we did we were one of the few municipalities that qualified.

[00:00:30]>> There's still questions, however, about the offer to help those affected and cap paper and capis casing has turned a financial corner.

[00:00:38]>> Getting to here was difficult. It was a lot of work.

[00:00:41]>> And while cash positive, current market conditions has some warning caution.

[00:00:47]CTV News at 11:30 with Ian Campbell and Tony Rimma with weather.

[00:00:54]>> Good evening. Thanks for staying up with us. Hundreds of wildfires still rage across Ontario and researchers at the Sue's Great Lakes Forestry Center are keeping a close eye on the newest data.

[00:01:05]As CTV's Cory Nordstrom tells us, their research is helping shape the future of fire response. As of this morning, nearly 200 wildfires were being fought across the province. 56 of those are still considered not under control. 112 are being observed and six are being held and 16 are under control.

[00:01:27]>> Fire research scientists from the Great Lakes Forestry Center say Ontario has been busy but has not seen an unprecedented number of fires. A similar case across the country.

[00:01:38]>> When we look at the the area burned in Canada, it's about 3 million hectares as of uh uh uh this morning. And that's only a little bit above the average from the last um let's call it 15 years or so.

[00:01:51]>> What is far from average is some of the intensity seen in parts of the Northwest. Typically more common in places like British Columbia and Alberta.

[00:02:01]>> Really exceptionally big fire growth about as as big as and as fast as fires ever grow. Some of these fires are in 40 km in a day. 40 linear kilometers sort of from start to end uh over over about 24-hour periods. Studying and tracking these fires has provided invaluable data that Thompson says will be made available to incident management teams and municipalities to better protect Ontarians during wildfire season.

[00:02:25]>> My job is to help build those tools that people on the ground can can do a better job of forecasting and getting people out of the way and putting those fires out eventually getting people back into their homes and and when we hit new record temperatures in a part of the world, well, we just haven't seen that before.

[00:02:41]forecasting and predictions really hard for us to do and so that's where we're still learning.

[00:02:47]>> Thompson says they've observed a slow drying in the forest and a normal number of fires across the region. Unless rain like this persists, he expects August could see an increase in fire danger.

[00:03:00]Cory Nordstrom, CTV News, Sousay Marie.

[00:03:04]The latest update from the Ministry of Natural Resources has 43 active wildland fires in the northeast, five not under control. They add one of the bigger ones is Wawwa 17 where crews are continuing to make progress. Located roughly 15 kilometers northeast of Pik Moert and east of White Lake, he helipads have been established to facilitate access.

[00:03:23]It's a little more than 37 hectares in size. Over in the northwest, there are two new fires tonight. It brings that region's total to 140 with 47 not under control. Premier Ford along with the ministers of natural resources and emergency preparedness providing this update to the media earlier today.

[00:03:42]>> You know, we talk about sort of 1556 crews. Just to put that into context, um that's well over 700 people. So there's usually about four to five people on a crew. Um so it it it seems like a bit of a small number, but we're talking about almost a thousand fire rangers. These are the folks who actually get out there and are on the front lines running hose through the bush fighting those fires.

[00:04:04]>> Global medic uh we delivered actually N95 masks to Thunder Bay when we were up last week. They're doing hygiene kits.

[00:04:10]Uh Red Cross is setting up the evacuation center for us in Thunder Bay.

[00:04:14]That's for communities like uh Collins First Nation and Armstrong who are unincorporated communities. So they have a place to go as well. A number of host cities including Thunder Bay, Sudbury, Berry, Toronto, and Niagara Falls are offering temporary accommodations for people displaced by the wildfires, and relief organizations are offering assistance in Northern Ontario. The premier says he wants to sit down with the prime minister to discuss a national firefighting strategy.

[00:04:41]In other news, Hurst Power says a lightning strike was behind a historic outage in the community over the weekend. Lightning struck electrical infrastructure on Jill Street, causing catastrophic damage in the Lour trailer park area Friday night. It required the complete replacement and reconstruction of critical equipment before service could be restored. Officials say this led to the longest sustained customer Hurst power outage documented in more than 35 years, 64 hours in total. The provincial government has activated disaster recovery assistance for areas that were heavily impacted by flooding conditions in the spring, including Sudbury, French River, Burks Falls, and Armor Township. CTV's Madison Marier has reaction.

[00:05:24]>> In April, areas across the north experienced severe flooding due to rainfall and snow melt accumulation.

[00:05:30]Parts of greater Sbury were hit hard.

[00:05:33]>> People really impacted by this. And so it uh it had a dev a devastating effect for for for a lot of households that because for some they've never qualified for flooding insurance. And so for them uh the cost of rebuilding or certainly renovating the parts that had been flooded uh was quite expensive.

[00:05:54]>> Some communities in northern Ontario have qualified for provincial financial assistance for primary residences and businesses that sustained damages. We weren't the only municipality affected by these floods. As we know, there was others in the province. That's why I think there was a delay in >> May. Um we had a team from the province come to inspect uh our area to see if indeed we qualified and uh after what they saw, they there was no doubt that uh we did we were one of the few municipalities that qualified. So now the the fund is activated. It's not designed as a replacement for insurance or as a replacement for any other kinds of assistance. It's just it's basically to help people like us put our homes back together so that we can move back into those.

[00:06:40]>> The disaster relief funding requires a list of forms before individual situations can be assessed. After that, the funding is provided on a casebyase scenario. The Papins are a local family who hope to receive this support.

[00:06:53]>> We're happy happy it was activated. I'm a little sorry it took that long, but I mean, hey, it's better than nothing. And uh it will probably will take, >> I'm imagine, a couple weeks, if not a few months, to receive the actual funds, but that's okay. If you know it's in the pipeline, then that's the important thing.

[00:07:11]>> We spoke to the French River Supply Post who told CTV News off camera they have their doubts about the funding for businesses. But the mayor of French River says the municipality will be putting together some information to help community members better understand the financial support requirements.

[00:07:26]Madison Marier, CTV News, Sudbury.

[00:07:29]>> Sus Marie police seized more than $10,000 in drugs and cash. Police say the result was a res was of a search warrants executed on Foke Avenue. A 31-year-old man is facing charges of trafficking after police say they found more than 100 grams of cocaine along with oxycodon.

[00:07:47]Meanwhile, Subbury police netted drugs, cash, and a weapon during a traffic stop Sunday. Police say a caller reported a motorcyclist knotting off while driving.

[00:07:56]Police found the driver and say the 54 year old man did poorly on a field sobriety check. The ad he was arrested and searched leading to police finding cocaine and fentinyl among other drugs as well as a collapsible baton.

[00:08:10]Greater Sbury Police, Greater Sbury rather, has been cleared on charges laid under the Occupational Health and Safety Act by an appeals court. In 2022, an employee from CK Construction was seriously injured after the elevated platform he was working on tipped over during repairs to the silos in the city's Flower Mill area. According to court documents, the platform's wheel sunk into an old drinking fountain service box, causing it to fall over.

[00:08:37]While the city had been found guilty at trial, the appeals court judge ruled there wasn't enough evidence to support the verdict.

[00:08:45]In capis casing cap paper has turned a financial page, but as CTV's Lydia Chewac tells us, the community's leader remains cautious about the state of the forestry industry.

[00:08:55]>> Example of what can be achieved when business >> capising mayor Dave Plur says cap paper is no longer losing money and is now generating enough cash to fund its own operations. He says getting to this point required a lot of work from employees, management and government partners.

[00:09:11]>> Well, because you know things can change uh very drastically and and so I think that you know it's it's um getting to here was difficult. It was a lot of work. Um but we have to remain uh [clears throat] cash positive and in in the world that we live in today uh things change rapidly and I think it's important to be cautious. Plur says the mill is still producing newsprint, but the company is looking to transition to a different product used in the building and housing sectors. He says changes in the paper market have helped improve the company's position.

[00:09:42]>> Markets have changed and um and uh probably through a combination of mill closures uh elsewhere and and rising paper prices and and and um people working really hard at the facility um to to to change where we are today. and and I think that's uh that's a huge step forward and I think that we have to continue to do that until such time as we're able to pivot to India.

[00:10:04]>> Floyd says more details about the transition are expected in the coming months. Lydia Chewac, CTV News Timonss.

[00:10:11]>> Time now for a short break here on CTV News. Coming up, Amanda will have our full weather forecast. For now, a look at the current conditions. And we are at the start of what's going to be a very wet Tuesday. We're starting to see some systems move its way into Sue St. Marie, Perry Sound, moving off the Great Lakes.

[00:10:27]20 in campus casing, 60 m shores. We'll have details coming up after the break.

[00:10:35]>> Welcome back from the break. Happy Monday. If you've had enough of all the humidity that we've been seeing over the past week or so, this forecast is for you. We're going to see temperatures dropping below seasonal over the next couple days, but you will want to have an umbrella for sure. We've got a chance of showers throughout the region th Tuesday continuing into Wednesday. By the time Thursday rolls around, that's when things start to change and we start to see some some sunshine on tap for the region. 7-day forecast starting with Sudbury, Niclbelt. Risk of thunderstorms for tomorrow, high of 19. Chance of showers on Wednesday, but then by the time Thursday rolls around, we're getting to 25 degrees with sunny skies.

[00:11:21]Chance of showers to start the weekend on Friday and a mix of sun and cloud on Saturday.

[00:11:27]For Sue St. Marie, Elma, chance of showers for tomorrow, high of 18.

[00:11:31]Backtoback sunshine Wednesday into Thursday. Getting up to 24 seasonal for this time of year. Chance of showers on Friday with some sunny breaks there and cloudy skies rolling in on Saturday.

[00:11:44]For Timmans, Cochran Capis casing, risk of thunderstorms for tomorrow, high of 17. So it is getting a little bit cooler out there. Chance of showers on Wednesday, but then by the time Thursday rolls around, we get up to 25. So we get to the normal for this time of year with a chance of showers and that continues throughout the rest of the week.

[00:12:05]For Tamiscoming Shores, Kirkland Lake, chance of showers, risk of thunderstorms for tomorrow, high of 21, chance of showers on Wednesday and continuing into Thursday and Friday. Saturday. Saturday we've got some cloudy skies rolling through the region. High of 23 and a chance of showers on Sunday.

[00:12:25]And finally for North Bay, West Nippasing. Risk of thunderstorms for tomorrow. High of 22. Chance of showers on Wednesday. Grab those sunglasses for Thursday. Sunny skies. High of 25. Looks like a beautiful day out there. Friday, chance of showers, high of 26. And then we're holding on to seasonal for the rest of this week. Saturday, we've got some more sunshine on the way. Some cloudy breaks as well. And then a chance of showers to close out the weekend on Sunday sitting at 25. So Ian, you're going to want to keep your umbrella handy over the next couple days, but we will see some sunshine. So that's good news. Sending it back to you.

[00:13:07]>> That's great news. Thanks, Amanda. Well, North Bay police are urging cyclists to take extra precaution in protecting their bicycles. CTV's Eric Tashner has more.

[00:13:16]>> North Bay police have issued a news release saying there were two overnight thefts at local hotels where the victim's vehicle mounted bike rack lock was cut and two bicycles were stolen.

[00:13:29]Police are encouraging cyclists to not leave their bike unattended on a vehicle overnight. Record the bike's serial number and take a current picture of it to help ID it if it is stolen and report any suspicious activity involving bicycles or bike racks to local police.

[00:13:46]>> As you can see, there's an array of locks.

[00:13:48]>> Barry Claus, the owner of CheapKates sporting goods store recommends bicycle owners use a sturdy lock to protect their bike from theft.

[00:13:56]>> There's different levels of locks you can buy. Um, but you got to spend some money to get, you know, some really solid locks. So, it'll be difficult to get uh to get into. People that don't lock their vehicles are going to get their car ransacked. People that don't lock their bikes, there's a good chance they'll be gone.

[00:14:12]>> This all comes during peak tourism season and packed hotels. Police recommend travelers ask hotel reception if bikes are permitted inside your room.

[00:14:24]Eric Tashner, CTV News, North Bay.

[00:14:28]>> Timman. City Council has approved $150,000 from the municipal accommodations tax and funding for the Mount Jameson Resort >> for the construction of a new operations garage and installation of a magic carpet conveyor lift system from the municipal accommodation tax fund category 2 benefit our residents.

[00:14:48]Okay, any discussion?

[00:14:51]I see none. I'll call for the vote. All in favor?

[00:14:55]Carried. Council passing the motion unanimously. Mount Jameson coming off a banner year having rebranded itself from Camco Scotia Snow Resort. There was also a lot of snow to be enjoyed. Fedor Minister Patty Haidu also recently pledging $420,000 for the rev resorts conveyor style lift.

[00:15:14]Nasam University in Sbury received a gift today to help keep doctors here in the north. The school will be getting $225,000 over the next three years from Agniko Eagle Mines. With doctor shortages across the region, the money is intended to boost the school's recruitment resources that support local initiatives already in place, showing potential students the benefits of living, learning, and working in Northern Ontario.

[00:15:40]We're learning about more expenses from a former minister in hot water for billing taxpayers for luxury hotel stays in Toronto where he lives. As CTV's John Woodward reports, record show stand show was using his political donors money to eat at luxury restaurants and stays in hotels from Ontario to Alberta.

[00:16:01]Toronto's Albany Club bills itself as Canada's preeminent club for conservative-minded leaders. And former Ontario Tourism Minister Stano must have felt very like-minded. He spent more than $9,000 there on food, beverage, and catering in three years. The money was from donations to his constituency association and also from the public pervote subsidy the association gets.

[00:16:22]His approved expenses over three years included more than $10,000 to Nomi Isizakaya Japanese Tapis Bar, more than $16,000 to the Share E Punjab restaurant. All in his food and beverage expenses added up to about $100,000.

[00:16:37]>> He's living a life of the rich and famous not only on the taxpayer dime but on his supporters dime. Joe already submitted his resignation to the premier after news he'd build for hotel stays in Toronto where he lives, but he build his constituency for more trips. Joe spent more than $6,000 on airfare and $12,000 on hotels including stays at the Fairmont Chateau Laurier in Ottawa and the Rimrock Resort in B. One hotel he built for the Clock Tower Inn, is only about a three-hour drive away. The NDP's Maret Styles also making an integrity commissioner complaint about Bmpton MPPP Hardep Singh Greywell whose constituency association spent money on an adby in his father's newspaper.

[00:17:20]>> All of those MPPPS and ministers that have filed these outrageous expenses do they still have the confidence of this premier and I will say for me the rot starts at the top.

[00:17:31]>> The premier condemning the older hotel expenses. They're all paying it back and uh it's unacceptable.

[00:17:38]If if you guys think for a second I'm happy about this, you're wrong. It's unacceptable. They're all paying it back. Simple as that.

[00:17:44]>> But not addressing questions about Cho's newly discovered constituency expenses or saying whether Cho should stay on as an MPP. Other PC MPPPs that build the taxpayer for hotels have promised to repay their expenses, but so far appear to be keeping their jobs. John Woodward, CTV News. Still ahead tonight on CTV News. And the Cubs might be out of the NOJHL season, but another team is looking forward to its comeback. We'll have more in a moment.

[00:18:14]The NOJHL has launched its new schedule.

[00:18:16]And while it will have to fill a hole left by the Summary Cups, it'll be welcoming the Elliot Lake Vikings back to the league. The Vikings will be back after an absence that stretched almost two seasons. Its owner decided to step away from the league after Elliot Lakes's home arena had to close due to structural concerns and traveling back and forth to neighboring arenas became too difficult. There will be a new man behind the bench this year who tells CTV News he's looking forward to life in the north with a team they've rebuilt from the ground up.

[00:18:44]>> Talking to some coaches who have been reputable, who have some very strong teams, I mean, one guy said he only had eight eight returning players. So I I I I do feel that there's a time where every year we are having to recruit a large number of players to come back. I think the years of the two three year commitment from players is a little bit few and far between. So um I don't think we're in any different boat than any other teams.

[00:19:10]>> The Vikings first game will be on the road this year September 12th facing off in Blind River against the Beavers. And as one team returns to the NOJHL, the league is reacting to another team leaving. Thursday, the owners of the Subbury Cubs announced they were forfeiting their franchise to pursue other options. The league's commissioner, Rob Mazooka, saying in a statement over the weekend, "While we are disappointed by this decision, we respect the organization's choice to determine the direction it believes is best for the future." The statement went on to thank players, volunteers, billets, and fans for supporting the club. The Cubs ownership announced they would be leaving the league just hours after the schedule for the upcoming season was released. Missou's statement saying the league remains committed to player development, community engagement, and competitive excellence.

[00:19:57]In the Ontario Hockey League, the Sou Greyhounds have announced a new assistant head coach. Steve Oor will be behind the bench with Drew Banister this season. Oor coached the Seattle Torrent to the PWHL last season. This is the second coaching change the club has made in the offseason. They parted ways with longtime coach John Dean back in April.

[00:20:19]Spain is on top of the soccer universe after beating Argentina to take home the World Cup.

[00:20:27][cheering] That was the magic moment that clinched the championship for Spain. Feton Torres finding the back the goal to score in extra time. Despite the one-nil score line, the game wasn't that close. Spain dominated play and Argentina didn't register a shot until extra time.

[00:20:47]The champions of the world [cheering] are Spain.

[00:20:54]>> It's Spain's second World Cup title.

[00:20:56]It's also the current holder of the Women's World Cup and European Championship. Argentina's superstar Lionol Messi was left in tears, but it's unclear if this marks his final appearance on the world stage.

[00:21:08]Argentina's loss also means no team has repeated as World Cup champions since Brazil in 1962.

[00:21:17]Amos.

[00:21:19]>> And this was the scene in Madrid today as thousands of fans gathered to see the team parade through the city's historic streets. The win made Spain the first country to hold both men's and women's World Cup trophies simultaneously.

[00:21:33]Well, it seems like summer vacation just started, but some parents are already thinking about back to school shopping.

[00:21:40]And the lists are long, and the costs are getting higher. Here's CTV's Denise Roberts. The back to school displays are up and parents are out looking for deals.

[00:21:51]>> A lot of uh erasers, uh Sharpies, pens, pencils, colors, highlighters, scotch tape, and the list goes on.

[00:22:00]>> It all adds up, especially when there's multiplication involved.

[00:22:05]>> I'm buying for two and uh it was about $130 and I'm not done.

[00:22:12]>> We don't have a choice, says this parent. If our child arrives at school without them, we'll get a note telling us what's missing and what we need to buy. But more families are having a hard time affording what's on those lists.

[00:22:25]According to an Marier of Red Group Mage, >> when you have to choose between paying your bills, between paying your rent or with with feeding your family, you know, school supplies down the list. The nonprofit's Operation Sackado campaign outfits children in need with a lunchbox and backpack filled with everything from calculators to pens and notebooks.

[00:22:49]Etsier says since the pandemic, the demand for their services has surged, even in households where both parents are employed.

[00:22:58]>> This year, we're helping 12,000 kids throughout the provinces, but this is not nearly close as the demens. So, we could be helping six times that much children.

[00:23:10]>> And while the goods packed in here are valued at $185, the cost of sending kids back to school is far more. The Retail Council of Canada estimates the average cost, including electronics, runs between $600 and $750 per child. And parents are feeling the pressure, according to their annual school shopping survey. When we look at the main sentiment themes that came out of the survey, definitely affordability was that defining issue. In fact, as I said, more than nine and 10 parents say that it feels more than more expensive with 53% actually telling us it's a lot more expensive.

[00:23:52]>> While other factors like inflation may be adding to the load, Etsier says programs like Operation Sackado are needed to ease the burden for parents and their kids. It gives them a lot of confidence. It puts them on the same pedestal as their family when they start the year, >> giving them the tools to succeed. Denise Roberts, CTV News.

[00:24:17]>> Finally for us tonight, a popular summer tradition took place yesterday in Sudbury on Lake Wipet.

[00:24:23]It was bittersweet as Canadian singer songwriter Larry Bario hosted his 10th and final year of Bario on the sandbanks. It's a special concert on the water along the scenic sandbakes of Lake Wanapete. Hundreds of Boers anchored off to enjoy the show. This year, Naked Soul performed as special guest.

[00:24:44]Looks like it must have been a fun time.

[00:24:46]Way to go. That takes us to the end of our newscast this Monday night. For the latest news anytime, remember you can head to our website, ctvnewn ontario.ca.

[00:24:55]And we're on YouTube now. Search for the CTV News channel and subscribe to the Northern Ontario feed. Until tomorrow.

[00:25:01]Thanks for watching. Good night.

[00:25:16]>> [music]