Alberta firefighter killed battling northern Ontario blazes
theweathernetwork.com
Saturday, July 28, 2018, 2:23 PM - A firefighter from Alberta has died while taking part in wildfire control efforts in northern Ontario, according to a statement by Alberta Premier Rachel Notley.
The statement, released on Friday, said wildland firefighter Jerry Gadwa, of the Kehewin Cree Nation, died Thursday while supporting fire suppression efforts near Red Lake, Ont., roughly 100 kilometres north-northwest of Kenora.
(Related: Apocalyptic scenes emerge from Northern California fires)
Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry officials did not immediately comment on the circumstances surrounding Gadwa's death. Shayne McCool, a fire information officer with the province, told CTV News that the provincial police and Ministry of Labour were working with the OMNRF on the investigation.
The Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry said there were 70 active fires in the Northwest Region as of the Friday afternoon situation update, 60 of which are reported as 'being observed, being held, or under control.' In addition to crews from across Canada, fire suppression efforts in northern Ontario are being supported by ground crews from the United States and Mexico.
