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CBC
19-05-2025
- Climate
- CBC
Northwestern Ontario First Nation still facing fire threat despite cooler weather
The chief of Wabaseemoong Independent Nations says his community is still under threat from forest fires, despite the cooler weather this weekend. "Once the rain stops and the warmer temperatures come back to the region, it's just going to flare the fire up and possibly be worse than what it was before," Chief Waylon Scott said. The community had to act quickly last Wednesday as the fires approached Wabaseemoong. "We literally had hours to evacuate," he said. Kenora 20, which is burning just west of the community, was about 31,000 hectares in size and not under control as of Monday afternoon. Kenora 14, meanwhile, is burning north of Wabaseemoong; as of Monday afternoon, that fire was just over 1,600 hectares in size, and not under control. Chris Marchand, fire information officer for the Kenora 20 fire with Aviation, Forest Fire and Emergency Services (AFFES) said nore than 90 firefighters from British Columbia are assisting Ontario FireRangers in suppression efforts, and structural protection is ongoing in Wabaseemoong. In total, he said, there are now more than 200 firefighters working on the Kenora 20 fire, along with 17 helicopters. "That's certainly a a real focus on getting some meaningful firefighting done on these perimeter areas, so that as the fire behaviour does rise in the area, as we have drier weather over the next few days, we can prevent these areas from flaring up and becoming a problem once again," Marchand said. He said there have been some structural losses due to the fire, but he didn't have details. '100 foot flames' seen from the community Scott said people could see "100 foot flames" from the community. "It was scary at times, especially hearing the fire," he said, "Like you can actually hear the roar of the fire from across the river." It took a few days to sort out where community members would stay until the fire is under control, but he said several government officials and other First Nations have stepped up to help. Roughly 800 community members in total will be staying in Niagara Falls, where they will have access to nurse practitioners and eventually a doctor. A smaller number of evacuees are in Kenora and Winnipeg. Scott said this is now the third evacuation he has experienced since becoming chief, and he acknowledged that the emergencies and evacuations have an emotional toll on the community. "It's every spring moving forward, I believe they're always going to be on the edge of their seat with the fire season." Some community members return home While most residents have been evacuated, some are choosing to stay in the community despite a serious threat from a nearby forest fire, the chief said. "As of (Sunday) morning ... the number has gone up in terms of who's remaining in the community," Wabaseemoong Chief Waylon Scott said during a virtual media event. "Originally there were six community members that were left." "Now we're up to about 17 or 18 people that have chosen to come back home," Scott said. "That's despite informing them that the fire is is still a serious threat." And while most pets have also been evacuated, some dogs couldn't be taken out of Wabaseemoong, Scott said. "There are crews, volunteers that go out and feed the dogs," he said; dog food is being shipped into the community. Scott said so far, there hasn't been any damage to any structures in the community. Overall, as of Monday afternoon, there were seven active wildfires in the northwest region, said Alison Bezubiak, fire information office with AFFES. "Of those fires, two are under control, one is being observed and four are not under control," she said. "One new fire has been confirmed today and that has since been called out." The fires of concern include Kenora 20 and 14, as well as Fort Frances 4 and Sioux Lookout 3, Bezubiak said. Fort Frances 4 is north of Crystal Lake, and was listed as being nearly 3,600 hectares in size and not under control. Sioux Lookout 3, meanwhile, is north of Savant Lake, and was about 1,850 hectares on Monday afternoon. It's also not under control, Bezubiak said. "Fortunately, very little growth has been recorded on these fires over the past few days, and minimal fire behaviour has been observed as well," she said. That, Bezubiak said, was due to cooler, wet weather in the last few days. "These cooler temperatures and the precipitation that came with it did bring some relief to that hot dry weather that we were experiencing last week, and the escalated fire behaviour that came with it," she said. "This has allowed crews to make progress with their ongoing suppression efforts.: "But we are now entering a bit of a drying trend, and we're already starting to see that hazard start to rebound sort of around the the western side of the region," Bezubiak said. "That could result in us seeing some more increased fire behaviour on these active fires." Access to the area around each of those fires remains restricted due to orders issued by the MNR. "We would ask that residents in affected areas of please continue to obey the evacuation order and travel restrictions," Marchand said. "While we're temporarily seeing a bit of a lull in fire activity, the fire is still there, albeit in a less active state, and it can still pose a threat as conditions begin to dry out."
Vancouver Sun
18-05-2025
- Climate
- Vancouver Sun
Ontario First Nation threatened by multiple wildfires forced to evacuate over 800 residents
Wildfires have forced more than 800 residents to evacuate their northwestern Ontario First Nation. Chief Waylon Scott of the Wabaseemoong Independent Nation, which sits about 100 kilometres northwest of Kenora near the Manitoba border, says rain and cooler temperatures have kept several fires at bay, but the blazes still pose a major threat. In a video conference with reporters Sunday, he said crews are trying to beat back flames from a 0.3-square-kilometre wildfire burning just over a kilometre from the community. Scott says roughly 100 firefighters, including 20 flown in from British Columbia, are battling that blaze as well as two much bigger fires — one roaring across 90 square kilometres and from which the smaller fire jumped. Kenora Fire 20 continues to be a significant fire concern in the region, with the fire having grown over 30,000 hectares... Scott says sprinklers are now set up outside about 80 per cent of the buildings in his community, with every home likely to have one within a couple of days. Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. Fast-moving wildfires triggered evacuation alerts across northwestern Ontario last week amid the first heat wave of the season. Manitoba also declared a state of emergency in one of its provincial parks as that province battles several large fires. Scott said about 800 Wabaseemoong residents were flown to Niagara Falls, Ont., for a stay at a pair of hotels, with medical staff on site, while a couple of dozen more headed to Winnipeg. 'We literally had hours to evacuate because the Kenora fire literally sprang up without anyone knowing. It wasn't on MNR's (the Ministry of Natural Resources') radar. 'It was scary at times,' he said. 'You can actually hear the roar of the fire from across the river.' Since Scott became chief in 2019, the community has seen three evacuations and six emergencies, he said. 'I can't explain what kind of toll it takes on them, but it does take a toll,' he said. 'Every spring moving forward, I believe they're going to be on the edge of their seat with the fire season.' Our website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. Please bookmark and sign up for our daily newsletter, Posted, here .
CTV News
18-05-2025
- Climate
- CTV News
Wildfires force more than 800 to evacuate northwestern Ontario First Nation
Smoke hangs above the treeline near dusk blocking out the setting sun at forest fires near Killarney, Ont., Tuesday, July 31, 2018. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Fred Thornhill Wildfires have forced more than 800 residents to evacuate their northwestern Ontario First Nation. Chief Waylon Scott of the Wabaseemoong Independent Nation, which sits about 100 kilometres northwest of Kenora near the Manitoba border, says rain and cooler temperatures have kept several fires at bay, but the blazes still pose a major threat. In a video conference with reporters Sunday, he said crews are trying to beat back flames from a 0.3-square-kilometre wildfire burning just over a kilometre from the community. Scott says roughly 100 firefighters, including 20 flown in from British Columbia, are battling that blaze as well as two much bigger fires — one roaring across 90 square kilometres and from which the smaller fire jumped. Scott says sprinklers are now set up outside about 80 per cent of the buildings in his community, with every home likely to have one within a couple of days. Fast-moving wildfires triggered evacuation alerts across northwestern Ontario last week amid the first heat wave of the season. Manitoba also declared a state of emergency in one of its provincial parks as that province battles several large fires. Scott said about 800 Wabaseemoong residents were flown to Niagara Falls, Ont., for a stay at a pair of hotels, with medical staff on site, while a couple dozen more headed to Winnipeg. 'We literally had hours to evacuate because the Kenora fire literally sprang up without anyone knowing. It wasn't on MNR's (the Ministry of Natural Resources') radar. 'It was scary at times,' he said. 'You can actually hear the roar of the fire from across the river.' Since Scott became chief in 2019, the community has seen three evacuations and six emergencies, he said. 'I can't explain what kind of toll it takes on them, but it does take a toll,' he said. 'Every spring moving forward, I believe they're going to be on the edge of their seat with the fire season.' This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 18, 2025. The Canadian Press
National Post
18-05-2025
- Climate
- National Post
Ontario First Nation threatened by multiple wildfires forced to evacuate over 800 residents
Wildfires have forced more than 800 residents to evacuate their northwestern Ontario First Nation. Article content Article content Chief Waylon Scott of the Wabaseemoong Independent Nation, which sits about 100 kilometres northwest of Kenora near the Manitoba border, says rain and cooler temperatures have kept several fires at bay, but the blazes still pose a major threat. Article content In a video conference with reporters Sunday, he said crews are trying to beat back flames from a 0.3-square-kilometre wildfire burning just over a kilometre from the community. Article content Scott says roughly 100 firefighters, including 20 flown in from British Columbia, are battling that blaze as well as two much bigger fires — one roaring across 90 square kilometres and from which the smaller fire jumped. Article content Article content Fast-moving wildfires triggered evacuation alerts across northwestern Ontario last week amid the first heat wave of the season. Article content Manitoba also declared a state of emergency in one of its provincial parks as that province battles several large fires. Article content Scott said about 800 Wabaseemoong residents were flown to Niagara Falls, Ont., for a stay at a pair of hotels, with medical staff on site, while a couple of dozen more headed to Winnipeg. Article content 'We literally had hours to evacuate because the Kenora fire literally sprang up without anyone knowing. It wasn't on MNR's (the Ministry of Natural Resources') radar. Article content 'It was scary at times,' he said. 'You can actually hear the roar of the fire from across the river.' Article content Since Scott became chief in 2019, the community has seen three evacuations and six emergencies, he said. Article content 'I can't explain what kind of toll it takes on them, but it does take a toll,' he said. 'Every spring moving forward, I believe they're going to be on the edge of their seat with the fire season.' Article content
Toronto Sun
18-05-2025
- Climate
- Toronto Sun
Wildfires force more than 800 to evacuate northwestern Ontario First Nation
Published May 18, 2025 • 1 minute read This image shared on the Facebook page of Wabaseemoong Independent Nations shows an aerial view of wildfire Kenora 20 taken on Monday, May 12, 2025. Photo by Wabaseemoong Independent Nations / Facebook Wildfires have forced more than 800 residents to evacuate their northwestern Ontario First Nation. 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 Chief Waylon Scott of the Wabaseemoong Independent Nation, which sits about 100 kilometres northwest of Kenora near the Manitoba border, says rain and cooler temperatures have kept several fires at bay, but the blazes still pose a major threat. In a video conference with reporters Sunday, he said crews are trying to beat back flames from a 0.3-square-kilometre wildfire burning just over a kilometre from the community. Scott says roughly 100 firefighters, including 20 flown in from British Columbia, are battling that blaze as well as two much bigger fires — one roaring across 90 square kilometres and from which the smaller fire jumped. Scott says sprinklers are now set up outside about 80 per cent of the buildings in his community, with every home likely to have one within a couple of days. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Fast-moving wildfires triggered evacuation alerts across northwestern Ontario last week amid the first heat wave of the season. Manitoba also declared a state of emergency in one of its provincial parks as that province battles several large fires. Scott said about 800 Wabaseemoong residents were flown to Niagara Falls, Ont., for a stay at a pair of hotels, with medical staff on site, while a couple dozen more headed to Winnipeg. 'We literally had hours to evacuate because the Kenora fire literally sprang up without anyone knowing. It wasn't on MNR's (the Ministry of Natural Resources') radar. 'It was scary at times,' he said. 'You can actually hear the roar of the fire from across the river.' Since Scott became chief in 2019, the community has seen three evacuations and six emergencies, he said. 'I can't explain what kind of toll it takes on them, but it does take a toll,' he said. 'Every spring moving forward, I believe they're going to be on the edge of their seat with the fire season.' Toronto & GTA Toronto Maple Leafs Sports World World
