‘It was far away until it wasn’t’: Lodge owner details harrowing northern Ontario fires

Rylie Isaacs Laforge recounted the terrifying proximity of a northern Ontario wildfire, which she first reported on June 30. The fire, initially distant, rapidly advanced, forcing her and her family to evacuate their Lac Des Mille Lodge near Upsala, Ont. The lodge, a year-round resort northwest of Thunder Bay, was miraculously spared, but the experience was deeply traumatic.

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It was one of the scariest things I’ve ever seen. Smoke rolling over our heads, knowing that if that smoke came down, that we wouldn’t be able to see or breathe.

"It was one of the scariest things I’ve ever seen," Isaacs Laforge told Global News. "Smoke rolling over our heads, knowing that if that smoke came down, that we wouldn’t be able to see or breathe." She described the unsettling shift from the smoke being a distant concern to an immediate threat: "The smoke has been rolling around the area for a week and it was far away, it was far away until it wasn’t far away and it was on us."

Upsala is currently at the epicenter of extensive wildfires ravaging northwestern Ontario. As of Thursday evening, the Ministry of Natural Resources reported 129 active wildfires in the region, with 62 of them uncontrolled. The evacuation order for Isaacs Laforge's family was delayed until an official order was issued, which was critical for their insurance. By then, the fire was mere kilometers away.

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The smoke has been rolling around the area for a week and it was far away, it was far away until it wasn’t far away and it was on us.

"The fire came in and came to the edge of our campground, burnt a couple of campers and decided to rage off in the other direction and burnt resorts down all over the place," Isaacs Laforge said. "It’s a miracle that our place didn’t burn to the ground." Sadly, other establishments were not as fortunate. Four lodges, including Open Bay Lodge, were completely destroyed. Jennifer Vanderhooft, co-owner of Open Bay Lodge, shared her devastation on social media, noting the loss of their family business, home, cabins, and trailer park. A crowdfunding effort has since raised over $38,000 for the Vanderhooft family.

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The fire came in and came to the edge of our campground, burnt a couple of campers and decided to rage off in the other direction and burnt resorts down all over the place. It’s a miracle that our place didn’t burn to the ground.

The economic repercussions extend beyond the destroyed businesses. Isaacs Laforge expressed concern that the loss of these resorts could deter loyal American tourists, impacting the vital tourism revenue that supports northern Ontario communities. The Ministry of Natural Resources has installed a sprinkler system at her lodge to help combat smaller fires. For now, Isaacs Laforge and her family are taking time to recover from the ordeal.

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Sorry for everyone’s loss and me and my family are devastated.