Minnesota YMCA campers rescued after being stranded in Canada by wildfires

(FOX 9) - Two groups of YMCA campers had to be rescued Wednesday after they were stranded in a remote area of Ontario near the United States-Canadian border due to heavily burning wildfires. 

READ MORE: Live updates on the wildfires burning in northern Minnesota

YMCA campers rescued from wildfires

What we know:

Fifteen YMCA campers and guides were on advanced, invite-only canoe trips in Wabakimi Provincial Park in Ontario, Canada when changing fire conditions prevented them from evacuating the area. At a briefing Wednesday morning, Gov. Tim Walz said Canadian authorities had located and was in the process of extracting one of the groups. The second group remained stranded on a sandbar awaiting rescue, which was challenging due to the remoteness of the area. 

Michel Tigan, senior vice president of adventure and wellbeing for YMCA of the North, confirmed on Wednesday afternoon that both groups had been rescued and that all campers were safe. One group consisting of two guides and five campers was rescued by plane while the other, consisting of two guides and six campers, was rescued by helicopter. 

The campers are all teenagers between the ages of 16 and 18. The YMCA of the North said they were all part of the wilderness program and were led by highly trained guides. 

Tigan said the groups are being guided to designated trip exit points using the safest available route and are in the process of traveling back to Minnesota. The YMCA is providing direct updates to the families of campers on those trips.

Walz thanked Ontario Premier Doug Ford and Canadian emergency crews at the briefing, saying they immediately mobilized after Minnesota requested assistance. One of the groups was located and evacuated Wednesday morning while the second was safe, but stranded on a sandbar awaiting rescue. 

"Again, a deep debt of gratitude for the instant response from our Canadian friends and the amount of effort that they have put in making sure these folks are brought back home," the governor said. 

Added Minnesota Department of Public Safety Assistant Commissioner T. John Cunningham: "We're very happy to get them back and reunite them with their families, and I'm sure that they will have some stories to tell."

Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Director Patty Thielen said the fire in Ontario, where the campers were located, changed very quickly, making it more difficult for them to evacuate. 

"I would just like to repeat the plea for folks to very carefully follow those local instructions around the ‘Ready, Set, Go’ warnings so that we can evacuate people orderly and safely, and avoid the need for rescue missions," she said. 

Wildfires grow to 55,000 acres across northeastern Minnesota

Big picture view:

Minnesota DNR Commissioner Sarah Strommen said the more than a dozen active wildfires burning in and around the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness have now scorched about 55,000 acres across northeastern Minnesota.

Strommen said the fires, collectively known as the July Lightning Event, are believed to have been sparked by a July 6 lightning storm and have grown rapidly under extreme heat, dry conditions and strong winds. Three fires are burning inside the Boundary Waters, while 14 are outside the wilderness, primarily in St. Louis and Lake counties.

More than 150 firefighters, 18 aircraft and four Minnesota National Guard helicopters are responding alongside federal, local and Canadian partners.

"It is extremely important to remember that we remain in a very active fire environment. It's likely we will be at this for quite some time," explained Strommen. "We're asking everyone in the affected areas to exercise caution and heed safety messages. If you see a wildfire, get to a safe location, call 911. Do not try to suppress any fires yourself. It's important to leave that work to the professionals."

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