'This could potentially overtake us': Harrowing video shows flames surrounding train amid wildfire emergency in Ontario
A CN Rail crew narrowly escaped a wildfire that swept over their train near Armstrong, Ont., late Sunday night, according to media reports.
The footage, recorded at 10:18 p.m. on July 13, shows flames engulfing the treeline on both sides of the tracks, with the cab cast in a deep orange-red glow.
In the video, a crew member can be heard communicating urgently over radio with a dispatcher identified only as "Jodie," asking them to speed up the train's departure.
“Y’all need to hurry up here, like, seriously,” says one of the crewmembers. “We’re encased in flames now.”
This is near Armstrong, Ontario.
— Sol Mamakwa (@solmamakwa) July 14, 2026
When will the Canadian National Railway Company make a statement about this incident? pic.twitter.com/6bKJYugeR0
A CN spokesperson confirmed to CTV News that all crew were safely evacuated, but offered no further details on the operation.
Three trains halted on line
The incident was part of a larger emergency affecting the railway's Allanwater subdivision. The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) disclosed on Tuesday afternoon that three CN trains carrying combustible and flammable materials had been stopped and staged near Namaygoosisagagun First Nation — also known as Collins First Nation — roughly 32 kilometres from Armstrong, according to SNNewswatch.
CN Rail subsequently confirmed it had temporarily suspended operations in the area as a precautionary measure. Employees were evacuated overnight, a company spokesperson told Newswatch, adding that the railway remains in close contact with the Ministry of Natural Resources and local authorities as the situation evolves.
Police advised the public to stay away from the railway corridor.
"While there is no immediate threat to public safety, emergency responders and railway officials are working together to assess conditions and support ongoing safety measures," OPP said in a news release.
Wildfires force evacuations across region
The fires prompting the rail shutdown are part of a broader emergency in northwestern Ontario as more than 100 active wildfires rage in the region this week. Mandatory evacuation orders were issued for several communities.
A Ministry of Natural Resources spokesperson told Newswatch that high winds and hot, dry conditions have elevated the fire's intensity in recent days.
Ontario MPP Sol Mamakwa was among those who circulated the train footage on social media, calling on CN to issue a public statement about the incident.
Firefighters dealing with wildfires in B.C. are facing the challenge of longer, harsher fire seasons – and that means many seasoned workers are burnt out, according to a 2024 report.
