As of Wednesday morning, 148 wildfires were active across northwestern Ontario, including 69 that were not under control. Several fires have grown rapidly or merged into larger complexes amid recent lightning, extreme heat, dry conditions and strong winds, forcing First Nations to evacuate as flames threaten homes, transportation routes and essential services. Several communities are under mandatory evacuation orders, including Namaygoosisagagun First Nation, where residents fled by personal boats after fire crossed the railway tracks and entered the community. “We literally had minutes to get on the boats and flee,” one resident told APTN News. Chief Helen Paavola said trees directly beside homes were burning as community members escaped. The Nation was awaiting an aerial assessment to confirm the full extent of the damage. Evacuation orders have also affected Whitesand First Nation, Lac des Mille Lacs First Nation, Gakijiwanong Anishinaabe Nation and Kiashke Zaaging Anishinaabek...