A shocking video captured the moment a freight train crew in Northern Ontario found themselves surrounded by raging Canadian wildfires, with flames filling the view from the cabin windows.

The footage, taken late Tuesday, shows the crew desperately calling for help as the fire threatened to overtake them before it suddenly receded enough for the train to push through thick smoke.

One crew member can be heard pleading over the radio, “This could potentially overtake us here. This has gotten a little scary. Holy [bleep]. You all need to hurry up here. Seriously. We’re encased in flames now.”

Another voice adds, “This has got to move quick,” followed by “Holy crap” as the fire begins to pull back, allowing the train to pass through.

WATCH:

🇨🇦 🔥 Huge wildfire surrounds train in Canada with workers inside

Railway workers in the Canadian province of Ontario were stuck in a train surrounded by a huge wildfire, as 800 fires are currently active across the country. The workers were later evacuated and brought to safety pic.twitter.com/HxJV8vzsWj

— AFP News Agency (@AFP) July 16, 2026

AFP News Agency reports that the workers were evacuated and brought to safety following the ordeal.

The incident took place during a massive outbreak of wildfires across Canada, as more than 800 fires are still raging nationwide.

Smoke from the blazes has drifted south into parts of the United States, including Minnesota, Michigan, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, New York, Connecticut, and Massachusetts.

CBS News reports:

Detroit, Minneapolis and Chicago ranked among the top five most polluted major cities in the world on Thursday, as air quality alerts stretched from Minnesota to parts of the Northeast.

Minnesota officials issued an air quality alert through Friday for areas including the Twin Cities metro area, with very heavy smoke expected across the state’s northeastern corner. Air quality levels in northeast Minnesota reached hazardous levels, making it unsafe for everyone.

Officials in Michigan and Wisconsin also warned residents about air quality issues that could last for days. The entire state of Michigan was under an air quality alert Thursday, and it could be extended if needed.

An air quality advisory was in effect Thursday for all of New York state, and officials said N95-style masks would be distributed to commuters in New York City.

The Associated Press noted, “A study published this year found that long-term exposure to tiny particles from wildfire smoke contributed to an average of 24,100 deaths a year in the lower 48 states. Long-term exposure can make existing health problems worse and lead to a range of chronic and deadly health issues, including respiratory illness, cardiovascular and neurological diseases, and premature death.”

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