Military assistance requested to help with Far North flood evacuations
A northern Ontario MPP is calling on the Canadian Armed Forces to assist in evacuations as severe flooding threatens two First Nations communities along the James Bay coast.
Guy Bourgouin, MPP for Mushkegowuk-James Bay, formally requested military support in a letter to Ontario's Solicitor General, Michael Kerzner, and Minister of Indigenous Affairs, Jill Dunlop, on Friday. The letter cited critical flooding in both Fort Albany First Nation and Kashechewan First Nation, which has forced large-scale evacuations.
Kashechewan's airport road was submerged as of Thursday, forcing residents to be flown by helicopter to neighbouring Fort Albany, which is on higher ground. However, Fort Albany is now also facing flooding, prompting its own evacuation. Approximately 200 people were flown to Cochrane on Wednesday, with more flights planned before Fort Albany paused its evacuations Thursday to assist Kashechewan evacuees.
On social media on Friday, Fort Albany First Nation reported that a Ministry of Natural Resources surveillance flight found no remaining ice in key sections of the Albany and Kenogami Rivers, though ice near Marten Falls had not yet broken up. Officials warned it could take two days for ice to reach the community.
Anderson Causeway breached
Early in the morning on Saturday, May 3, 2025, the Anderson Causeway was breached, allowing water to flow in from the main Albany River, furthering flooding in the Far North communities of Kashechewan and Fort Albany. (Source: Fort Albany First Nation/Facebook | Photo credit: Kanisha Stephen)
By Saturday, the Anderson Causeway had been breached, allowing water from the Albany River to flow in. Residents were urged to prepare emergency supplies and boats, with the school gymnasium designated as a shelter.
Fort Albany First Nation Chief Elizabeth Kataquapit has also requested military support to manage evacuations for both communities.
In his letter, Bourgouin emphasized the urgency, writing, 'Please, Ministers, employ the powers and resources accorded to you to assist in organizing this effort.'
The MNR continues to monitor conditions and will provide updates as the situation develops.
Evacuees in the region are typically flown south to wait out flood season in hotels – a routine occurrence for Kashechewan, which has evacuated annually for over a decade.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CBC
5 hours ago
- CBC
Wildfire near Sandy Lake First Nation a 'sleeping giant' as evacuation flights pause
Social Sharing Spanning 163,000 hectares, the largest wildfire in northwestern Ontario — Red Lake 12 — is now being called a "sleeping giant." The fire is six kilometres from Sandy Lake First Nation and remains not under control. "Because of the cooler weather, you're not seeing anything right now. But there isn't enough rain," Ontario's Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) said in an update provided by Sandy Lake First Nation on Tuesday. "It could take months to put out a fire this size." Canadian Armed Forces members were called in to assist efforts on Sunday. Since then, more than 2,000 people have been flown out of the community, the majority boarded onto Hercules aircraft. As of late Tuesday afternoon, the First Nation said Phase 1 of its evacuation had been completed. WATCH | Wildfire evacuees from Sandy Lake First Nation arrive in Greater Toronto Area: Wildfire evacuees from Sandy Lake First Nation arrive in GTA 22 hours ago Duration 2:08 "Flights have been paused," the community said in an official update. "Chief and council will assess over the next few days on further steps. Sandy Lake is NOT under a Phase 2 full evacuation." Evacuees are being sent from Thunder Bay to one of three host communities: Kapuskasing, Cornwall or Mississauga. Red Lake 12 "has destroyed at least seven cabins at different camps and a former fishing lodge owned and operated by Sandy Lake as a healing and land-based camp for youth," the First Nation posted on Facebook on Tuesday night. Fewer than 200 people remain in Sandy Lake, where they are taking care of people's pets as well as the community's critical infrastructure and services, band councillor Cynthia Fiddler told CBC's Superior Morning. Fiddler oversees the community's health portfolio and has been busy co-ordinating with people hosting evacuees to ensure everyone has access to prescriptions and other medical assistance, she said. "I'm needed here," Fiddler said. "With all our people out there, there's still lots of calls coming back." Elsewhere in the region, evacuations are continuing for other First Nations: Deer Lake First Nation evacuees are staying in Toronto due to Red Lake 12. Webequie First Nation evacuees are in Barrie due to the Nipigon 5 wildfire. North Spirit Lake First Nation and Keewaywin First Nations have called for community evacuations; CBC News is awaiting more information about where community members will be sent. Members of Wabaseemoong Independent Nations were staying in Niagara Falls from mid-May to early June due to wildfire Kenora 20, but were cleared to return home on Friday. 'Sandy Lake is so good in a crisis' Sandy Lake is a remote Oji-Cree community in Treaty 5 territory, about 600 kilometres northwest of Thunder Bay. In Tuesday night's update, the First Nation provided clarity about a situation where construction workers were trapped at the Valard Camp and hid in a shipping container to evade the flames. WATCH | Construction workers trapped by wildfire take shelter in shipping container Workers survive wildfire by hiding in shipping container 3 days ago Duration 2:07 Nineteen construction workers survived a fast-moving wildfire in northwestern Ontario by huddling inside a shipping container near Sandy Lake First Nation, which is now under evacuation order. "Workers were preparing to protect the camp by clearing trees, but the fire just came too quick. Helicopters tried but couldn't reach them because of thick smoke," the First Nation said. "Sandy Lake leadership kept in contact. Deputy Chief Marcel Linklater and Coun. Russel Kakepetum drove to the camp and guided them back to the community. The crews were one of the first to be airlifted out of Sandy Lake to safety on a private charter. Sandy Lake is very thankful they are safe and back with their families." At the evacuation hub at Thunder Bay's airport, the First Nation's band rep team has been co-ordinating flights and distributing essential supplies. Despite the uncertainty of when evacuees will return home, Fiddler said the community has always been resilient, no matter the circumstances. "Sandy Lake is so good in a crisis," she said. "When something happens in our community, people are so willing to come together and work for Sandy Lake. They make sure everybody is taken care of. "It has gotten a little chaotic, but we come together fast, and I'm just so grateful to be from Sandy Lake for that." With cooler weather masking the view of the flames over the last couple days, Fiddler said "it just feels like a normal day." However, temperatures are expected to rise on Friday. Sprinkler systems have been set up in the community to protect homes closest to the fire. "FireRanger crews are making excellent progress setting up a consolidated perimeter line on the west side of the community of Sandy Lake and will be assisted by heavy machinery to create a fire break," Ontario Forest Fires said in its latest update Tuesday night. "Aerial suppression continues, with helicopters and buckets supporting FireRanger crews on the ground digging in to establish hoseline, pump and sprinkler perimeters." Air quality statements lifted — for now A special air quality statement first issued for Sandy Lake on May 27 was lifted as of Wednesday. Statements have also been lifted for the Fort Hope, Webequie, Weagamow Lake, Deer Lake and Pikangikum areas. They had been jointly issued by the Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks, as well as Environment and Climate Change Canada. Despite recent rainfall, much of northwestern Ontario remains under a restricted fire zone, which means no open-air burning is allowed. Dr. Peter Lin, a family physician and a medical columnist for CBC, explained how wildfires create a lot of chemicals and tiny particles that affect people's eyes, skin and lining of their breathing tubes. "These [particles] are very tiny, so they can get deep into your lungs," Lin said. While in the short term people may experience eye, nose and throat irritation, headaches or a mild cough due to wildfire smoke, long-term exposure can also increase people's risk of lung cancer, he said. "Check the air quality index. It's easy, right? 10 is bad, one is good. It's all colour-coded," Lin said. "If it's a bad day, then avoid going out. If you have to go out, then use an N95 mask to cut down on the particles that you're breathing in." He also urges people to keep their doors and windows closed during smoky days, and wear sunglasses and long-sleeved shirts to protect their skin. "If you can afford a HEPA filter, that could clean up some of the air inside your house as well," he said.
Calgary Herald
6 hours ago
- Calgary Herald
Canada has already surpassed a year's worth of charred land from wildfires
Article content Wildfires across Canada are devouring land at a pace unseen in any year other than the historic 2023 season. Article content With more than 3.15 million hectares burned, according to Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre data, the season has already raced past the annual average, even when including the past two major fire seasons. Article content Article content The 25-year average for land burned is 2.95 million hectares. This year's tally is poised to finish well above normal. Article content Article content Dozens of active wildfires are burning from northern British Columbia and Alberta in a belt extending southeastward to Ontario. Many new blazes have started in recent weeks as a result of lightning, which is a common fire starter. The most intense fire activity has shifted its focus westward over recent days, partly a result of high heat in the country's west and increased rainfall in central Canada. Article content Article content The wildfires, mostly burning in dense boreal forest, continue to send thick smoke far from the source. Much of southwest and south-central Canada is under an air quality alert Tuesday, including the cities of Edmonton and Regina, where air quality reached Code Red levels in the morning. Article content Article content -British Columbia has two of those huge out-of-control conflagrations, among 86 active wildfires there, including one closing in on 200,000 hectares in the province's far north that is suspected to have carried over from last year after smoldering through the winter. Another to its south grew rapidly during recent days, past 120,000 hectares, leading to evacuation orders for rural indigenous First Nations regions Sunday. Article content -To the east, in Alberta, there are 60 active fires, five of which are 50,000 hectares or larger and classified as out of control. The largest fire, sparked by lightning and mostly burning north of Edmonton, in oil country and forestland, was past 130,000 hectares as of Monday. Article content -Central Saskatchewan's Shoe Fire – 161 kilometres north of Saskatoon – is the largest in the nation overall, now past 500,000 hectares in size. Despite improving conditions, evacuations from 33 rural communities continue, according to local reports. The entire area had notable rainfall in recent days, which has assisted in reducing imminent risks. Hotspots persist, especially on the southern flank.
CTV News
13 hours ago
- CTV News
Sudbury firefighters respond to brush fire in Dowling
Northern Ontario Watch Sudbury fire and Ministry of Natural Resources crews were called to a brush fire off Pilon Crescent in the Dowling area Tuesday night.
