Evacuees' photos show raging wildfire that forced evacuation in northwestern Ontario

Damage at Collins First Nation in Ontario; evacuations in other communities

Communities across Canada are beset with wildfires, including more than 160 in northwestern Ontario.

One fast-moving blaze has damaged and destroyed homes and buildings in Collins First Nation in Ontario, also known as Namaygoosisagagun, with many other First Nations communities forced to evacuate.

CBC News reached out to people who fled Collins First Nation to confirm the veracity of these photos taken as they escaped Monday.

Wayne Wastaken posted these photos, below, to social media as he fled over Lake Collins Monday.

(Submitted by Wayne Wastaken) Smoke from the fires mean residents throughout Ontario are in for another day of gritty smoke and orange skies.

Here, remnants of ash from the wildfires blanketed vehicles in Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., on Wednesday.

(Alex Flood/CBC)Environment Canada says winds from the northwest will continue to blanket southern Ontario with smoke from the northern fires until at least Friday.

The weather agency advises everyone in these areas to avoid spending time outside if possible.

British Columbia has needed to evacuate many residents as well, and the wildfire service is keeping an eye on dry lightning strikes which could trigger even more fires.

Quebec, the Northwest Territories and Manitoba also have active wildfires burning.

With files from The Canadian Press