Latest news with #FirstNations
New York Times
an hour ago
- Climate
- New York Times
Wildfires Are Raging in the Canadian Prairies. Here's What to Know.
Thousands of people have evacuated their homes across parts of the Canadian provinces of Saskatchewan and Manitoba, where officials have declared a state of emergency and crews are working to contain dozens of out-of-control wildfires. The smoke has already spread to the upper Midwest of the United States and is expected to last through the first few days of June as multiple rounds of smoke are set to blow south, Minnesota's Pollution Control Agency warned. The fires are intensifying, and two people were killed after a small town in Manitoba was engulfed in flames. Their deaths represented an ominous start to Canada's wildfire season, which usually runs from March until October. Here's what to know. Where are the wildfires burning? About 1.7 million acres have burned across both Saskatchewan and Manitoba, according to the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre. Manitoba's out-of-control wildfires are largely burning on its northwest border with Saskatchewan. In Saskatchewan, the fire activity is also mostly concentrated in the north. About 17,000 people were ordered to leave and more communities can expect the same in the coming days, said Wab Kinew, the premier of Manitoba. Evacuations across those sparsely populated rural regions in Manitoba, home to several First Nations reserves, were assisted by the Canadian armed forces in cases where the conditions were more dangerous. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
Wildfire evacuees from 2 Ontario First Nations to shelter in Toronto, Barrie
Wildfire evacuees from two First Nations in northwest Ontario are being relocated to Toronto and Barrie this weekend, after community leaders declared states of emergency this week. Leaders in Deer Lake First Nation (DLFN), about 70 kilometres from the Manitoba border, said Friday the entire community of about 1,300 people are evacuating to Toronto due to a nearby wildfire estimated to be nearly 75 square kilometres in size. In Webequie First Nation, about 540 kilometres north of Thunder Bay, Ont., a fire is burning within a kilometre of the community, according to a Friday news release put out by the chief and council. That's prompted the first phase of an evacuation for elders, children and other vulnerable groups, totalling about 400 people. They will be transported to Barrie over the weekend, the release said. "We will continue to monitor the fire to determine if further evacuation is needed and will continue ongoing communications with residents," Chief Cornelius Wabasse said in the release. Another wildfire northwest of Kenora, Ont., also displaced residents of Wabaseemoong First Nation earlier this month. About 800 people in that community were evacuated to Niagara Falls, with smaller numbers sent to Kenora and Winnipeg. Sol Mamakwa, MPP for the region where the First Nations are located, urged the province to speed up support for evacuees and other communities being impacted by fires in the north of the province, as well as wildland firefighters. "It is vital that wildland firefighters are adequately staffed and resourced as they are on the frontlines protecting the residents of northern Ontario," he said. Ontario's Ministry of Natural Resources was not immediately available to provide comment Saturday in response to Mamakwa's statement.
CBC
6 hours ago
- General
- CBC
Wildfire evacuees from 2 Ontario First Nations to shelter in Toronto, Barrie
Wildfire evacuees from two First Nations in northwest Ontario are being relocated to Toronto and Barrie this weekend, after community leaders declared states of emergency this week. Leaders in Deer Lake First Nation (DLFN), about 70 kilometres from the Manitoba border, said Friday the entire community of about 1,300 people are evacuating to Toronto due to a nearby wildfire estimated to be nearly 75 square kilometres in size. In Webequie First Nation, about 540 kilometres north of Thunder Bay, Ont., a fire is burning within a kilometre of the community, according to a Friday news release put out by the chief and council. That's prompted the first phase of an evacuation for elders, children and other vulnerable groups, totalling about 400 people. They will be transported to Barrie over the weekend, the release said. "We will continue to monitor the fire to determine if further evacuation is needed and will continue ongoing communications with residents," Chief Cornelius Wabasse said in the release. Another wildfire northwest of Kenora, Ont., also displaced residents of Wabaseemoong First Nation earlier this month. About 800 people in that community were evacuated to Niagara Falls, with smaller numbers sent to Kenora and Winnipeg. Sol Mamakwa, MPP for the region where the First Nations are located, urged the province to speed up support for evacuees and other communities being impacted by fires in the north of the province, as well as wildland firefighters. "It is vital that wildland firefighters are adequately staffed and resourced as they are on the frontlines protecting the residents of northern Ontario," he said.
Toronto Star
6 hours ago
- Politics
- Toronto Star
Two Ontario First Nations declare wildfire emergencies, plan evacuations
Two First Nations in Ontario's far north have declared states of emergency and are planning evacuations as wildfires threaten their communities. Leaders in Deer Lake First Nation, near the Manitoba boundary, made their declaration today and say they are planning a 'complete community evacuation' involving 1,300 people. A forest fire burning nearby is estimated to be nearly 75 square kilometres in size. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW Webequie First Nation, about 540 kilometres north of Thunder Bay, Ont., declared a state of emergency on Thursday because of a wildfire burning within a kilometre of the community. It says it has initiated the first phase of an evacuation for elders, children and residents with medical conditions. The First Nation says 400 people are expected to be transported to Barrie, Ont., within the next day or so. This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 30, 2025. Politics Headlines Newsletter Get the latest news and unmatched insights in your inbox every evening Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. Please enter a valid email address. Sign Up Yes, I'd also like to receive customized content suggestions and promotional messages from the Star. 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. Politics Headlines Newsletter You're signed up! You'll start getting Politics Headlines in your inbox soon. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page.
CTV News
7 hours ago
- General
- CTV News
First Nations, researchers probe James Bay climate impacts
Northern Ontario Watch Mushkegowuk Tribal Council partners with Laurentian University to study climate change impacts on James Bay and Hudson Bay coasts, with Grand Chief Leo Friday highlighting shifts in temperature, wildlife, coastlines, and effects on First Nations communities. Tony Ryma sits down with the Grand Chief to discuss.
