At least 20,000 hogs were killed after a fire burned down a massive animal farm in Simcoe, Ontario as Canadian authorities battle hundreds of wildfires across different locations in the province. 

The Peoples Gazette gathered that the incident occurred on Tuesday when fire quickly engulfed 200,000-square-foot facility, triggering a major emergency response, which included 40 firefighters from eight different stations. 

According to Global News, by the time emergency response crews arrived at the scene, they discovered the whole building was completely on fire as firefighters worked until the afternoon to suppress the flame amid humid and hot conditions. 

Norfolk County Deputy Fire Chief, James Robertson, noted in a statement that there was no injury reported by any staff member or firefighters but noted that about 20,000 hogs were burnt to death, marking one of the highest livestock losses recorded in the province in years.

Mr Robertson also stated that the incident was not being treated as suspicious immediately but implied that there would be an investigation to determine the cause of the outbreak. 

“The property owner is insured. Due to active fire conditions, the investigation into the cause has not yet begun, but is not being treated as suspicious,” the fire chief added. 

Meanwhile, Grand Erie Public Health, in a statement, said, “Combined with the current heat and already poor air quality conditions, residents may notice increased smoke and haze in the area. The public may notice smoky conditions, including the smell of smoke, along with reduced visibility.”

The fire incident at the farm occurred as 200 separate wildfires were burning across different parts of Ontario, prompting evacuation of residents. 

Home and community buildings have been reportedly destroyed in the blazes, while contaminating the air quality in the province. There has been no indication from officials that the two cases are connected. 

News outlet CP24 reported that a total of 185 wildland fires — 148 in the northwest region and 37 in the northeast region — were still active as of Tuesday. 

Additionally, several First Nations communities were ordered to evacuate their homes. Some roads in the area remained closed as of Wednesday morning. 

“Due to the high to extreme fire hazard, increased wildland fire activity, the current fire load and to reduce the number of human-caused wildland fires, the Ministry of Natural Resources has declared a Restricted Fire Zone for the Northwest Fire Region, and parts of the Northeast Fire Region,” Canada’s Ministry of Transportation said.