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CTV News
3 days ago
- General
- CTV News
Evacuee recalls ‘surreal' escape as northern Ontario wildfire threatens First Nation
More than 50 dogs and cats rescued from northern Ontario wildfires arrived safely in Barrie. When Destiny Rae boarded the military airplane that was evacuating residents of her First Nation in northwestern Ontario on Sunday, she looked out the window and saw her community in a smoky haze. 'It's very surreal, you feel very sad,' Rae recalled. 'I remember looking back at the airport terminal and thinking, 'This is my home. I hope it's here when I come back.' National Defence said CC-130 Hercules airplanes have been airlifting people out of Sandy Lake First Nation as a wildfire burns through the area, and more than 1,400 people had been evacuated as of Tuesday afternoon. Among the evacuees was Rae, who said she's not sure when she'll be able to return home — and what will be left standing — as a 1,500-square kilometre, out-of-control blaze threatens her community. As of Monday night, the provincial government said there were more than 20 active fires in northwestern Ontario, and six of them are out of control. One of those fires remains about 6.5 kilometres from Sandy Lake First Nation, it said. Rae said she was in disbelief when community leaders began evacuation efforts on Saturday, and 'everything just moved so fast.' People began packing and planes started flying in as the smoke made it hard to breathe, she recalled. 'I walked out of the house and then to the left you see blue skies ... then I turn right and then it's just bright orange and the skies are smoky,' said Rae. 'It's a very scary feeling knowing then the fire is just right there.' The plane had to circle around multiple times before it could safely land in Sandy Lake, she said, because the smoke was causing poor visibility. Rae said her mother, son, sister and sister's children boarded two military planes headed for Thunder Bay. Her brother is still in the community helping people, she added. 'It was a very sad moment when we took off,' Rae said. The province said communities in Kapuskasing and southern Ontario are hosting the evacuees. Rae said her family landed in Thunder Bay, then another plane took the evacuees to Mississauga, Ont., just west of Toronto. About three hundred people remain there, she said, including some from Deer Lake First Nation, which was evacuated about two weeks ago. Now, Rae said she's volunteering as a support worker as more people fly in. She's helping them sort out hotel rooms and connect with Red Cross, she said. Across the country, tens of thousands have fled from raging wildfires in recent days, prompting both Saskatchewan and Manitoba to declare provincial states of emergency. In Saskatchewan, the province is dealing with multiple fires in the north that have forced between 10,000 and 15,000 people to flee, including 7,000 from the La Ronge area. Meanwhile, about 21,000 have been forced out of communities in Manitoba ahead of the fires, including all 5,000 residents of the city of Flin Flon and about 6,700 from Pimicikamak Cree Nation. Ontario Premier Doug Ford has said firefighters from the United States have been called in to help fight the fires. On Monday, Australia's High Commission to Canada announced Australian firefighting crews have been deployed to Canada. Although Rae is still worried about what will remain of Sandy Lake First Nation when she returns, the experience has shown her how community members have shown up for one another. 'We just have to take it one day at a time,' Rae said. 'Most importantly, we just help each other in a time like this ... I know we can get by if we're just there for each other.' This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 10, 2025. Rianna Lim, The Canadian Press
CBC
4 days ago
- Climate
- CBC
Hundreds from Sandy Lake evacuate to GTA amid blazing wildfires
Hundreds of Sandy Lake First Nation members have arrived in the Greater Toronto Area to seek refuge as a major wildfire burns near the northwestern Ontario community. Sandy Lake officials issued an evacuation order Saturday after the fire, known as Red Lake 12, was spotted moving northward toward the community. As evacuees continue to be relocated to other parts of Ontario, many are being sent to Mississauga and Toronto. Destiny Rae and her family arrived in Mississauga on Sunday after receiving the evacuation notice. "It was a very scary feeling," she told CBC News Tuesday. "I stepped out of my house and to the left it was blue skies, but surrounded by orange clouds, and then to the right, you could see the fire," said Rae. "To know that it was so close, it was very scary." The fire, which was first reported on May 28, is burning about 6.5 kilometres from the Sandy Lake First Nation community, according to the Ministry of Natural Resources. In an email Tuesday, ministry spokesperson Alison Lake said the fire grew to roughly 158,000 hectares in size last week and remains out of control, but "the fire has experienced minimal growth" since rain showers, fog and high humidity set in Sunday. The Canadian Armed Forces said in an update Tuesday that a CC-130 Hercules aircraft has been airlifting people out of the First Nation, and more than 1,400 people had been evacuated as of 2 p.m. on Tuesday. Rae said she felt sad looking out the military aircraft's small window. "I remember thinking, 'This is my home. This is where I live,'" she said. "I hope when I come back, I want everything to be where it is." Indigenous emergency operations organization, ISN Maskwa, is helping the Sandy Lake evacuees in the GTA. Director of operations Paul Syrette told CBC News on Tuesday that about 370 evacuees have been brought to the area. He said the organization receives the evacuees at the airport, transports them to their hotels, and provides them with food services. "We make them comfortable," said Syrette. "They've come from a situation and a fire in their communities where they didn't have much time to gather up some things and pack up." Canadian military assisting in wildfire evacuations Prime Minister Mark Carney announced Sunday that Canadian Armed Forces troops would help evacuate Sandy Lake. He said Ontario had made a request for federal assistance "in response to rapidly spreading wildfires" in that part of the province. In a statement Monday, Emergency Preparedness and Response Minister Jill Dunlop said all evacuees will be provided comprehensive wraparound services, including health care, education supports, and social services. "Our government will continue to work in co-ordination with the federal government, Indigenous leadership, and the Canadian Armed Forces to ensure safe evacuations for the residents of Sandy Lake First Nation," she said. Dunlop said most evacuees are being hosted in Kapuskasing, Mississauga, Toronto, Niagara, and Cornwall. Meanwhile, FireRanger crews are working with the Sandy Lake First Nation Fire Department to deploy fire protection, including sprinklers and hose lines, fed by pumps throughout the community, according to the Ministry of Natural Resources. Helicopters have been applying aerial suppression when conditions allow, with helicopters and buckets supporting FireRanger crews on the ground, said spokesperson Alison Lake. The Sandy Lake community said in Sunday's update that it was under a phase-one evacuation, focusing on its most vulnerable residents and their families. The next step could be to continue with older children and their families, although many have left, the update says. It's unclear how many residents are still in the community of more than 2,000 people.
Toronto Sun
4 days ago
- General
- Toronto Sun
Evacuee recalls 'surreal' escape as northern Ontario wildfire threatens First Nation
Published Jun 10, 2025 • 1 minute read Haze from the wildfire smoke drifting from northern Ontario and Quebec can be seen June 27 over some fields near Iona, Ont. Photo by Larry Schneider / POSTMEDIA NEWS As a major wildfire threatens a First Nation in northwestern Ontario, one evacuee is recounting her 'surreal' experience escaping the blaze on a military aircraft. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account Destiny Rae says she and her family were among hundreds of people who left Sandy Lake First Nation as the 1,500-square kilometre, out-of-control wildfire burns through the area. National Defence says a CC-130 Hercules aircraft has been airlifting people out of the First Nation, and more than 700 people had been evacuated as of Monday afternoon. It's unclear how many residents are still in the community of more than 2,000 people. Rae says it was 'very surreal' when she boarded the military airplane on Sunday, as officials said the blaze was just six kilometres away from the First Nation with smoke causing poor visibility. Tens of thousands of people across Canada have fled from raging wildfires in recent days, prompting both Saskatchewan and Manitoba to declare provincial states of emergency. RECOMMENDED VIDEO Toronto Maple Leafs Toronto Blue Jays NHL Columnists World
Global News
4 days ago
- General
- Global News
Hundreds airlifted by Hercules aircraft as wildfire threatens northern Ontario First Nation
As a major wildfire threatens a First Nation in northwestern Ontario, one evacuee is recounting her 'surreal' experience escaping the blaze on a military aircraft. Destiny Rae says she and her family were among hundreds of people who left Sandy Lake First Nation as the 1,500-square kilometre, out-of-control wildfire burns through the area. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy National Defence says a CC-130 Hercules aircraft has been airlifting people out of the First Nation, and more than 700 people had been evacuated as of Monday afternoon. It's unclear how many residents are still in the community of more than 2,000 people. Rae says it was 'very surreal' when she boarded the military airplane on Sunday, as officials said the blaze was just six kilometres away from the First Nation with smoke causing poor visibility. Tens of thousands of people across Canada have fled from raging wildfires in recent days, prompting both Saskatchewan and Manitoba to declare provincial states of emergency.
Hamilton Spectator
4 days ago
- General
- Hamilton Spectator
Evacuee recalls ‘surreal' escape as northern Ontario wildfire threatens First Nation
As a major wildfire threatens a First Nation in northwestern Ontario, one evacuee is recounting her 'surreal' experience escaping the blaze on a military aircraft. Destiny Rae says she and her family were among hundreds of people who left Sandy Lake First Nation as the 1,500-square kilometre, out-of-control wildfire burns through the area. National Defence says a CC-130 Hercules aircraft has been airlifting people out of the First Nation, and more than 700 people had been evacuated as of Monday afternoon. It's unclear how many residents are still in the community of more than 2,000 people. Rae says it was 'very surreal' when she boarded the military airplane on Sunday, as officials said the blaze was just six kilometres away from the First Nation with smoke causing poor visibility. Tens of thousands of people across Canada have fled from raging wildfires in recent days, prompting both Saskatchewan and Manitoba to declare provincial states of emergency. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 10, 2025. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
