Wildfires burning across Ontario have grown to 735,000 hectares (1.8 million acres) from 650,000 hectares over the weekend, Premier Doug Ford said on Monday. While air quality from the smoke has improved in much of the province, it remains unhealthy in parts of the U.S. Midwest.
The province is currently battling 190 active blazes, with more than 900 wildfires burning across Ontario and other provinces ahead of the peak fire season next month. Around 1,800 residents have been evacuated from sparsely populated communities.
In remote parts of northwestern Ontario, residents who fled as flames quickly approached their homes are now questioning why officials were not prepared for the situation.