Latest news with #WebequieFirstNation
CBC
7 hours ago
- General
- CBC
First Nation chiefs share safety concerns amid wildfire evacuations in northwestern Ontario
Social Sharing As wildfire evacuees from northwestern Ontario settle in at their accommodations in the southern part of the province, community chiefs are raising concerns about what happens next. Wabaseemoong Independent Nations was the first community in the region to issue an evacuation notice on May 13 because of the area's largest fire, Kenora 20, which spans more than 35,000 hectares. About 450 members of the Ojibway First Nation, located north of Kenora, are staying in Niagara Falls. Next, Deer Lake First Nation called for a community evacuation on Wednesday due to the nearby fire Red Lake 12, which is now more than 17,900 hectares large. Nearly 900 members of the remote Oji-Cree community have been brought to Toronto. Chief Leonard Mamakeesic said the evacuation has gone smoothly, all things considered. Community members took Dash 8 planes to Thunder Bay before being transported on larger planes to Toronto, he said. "I try to be more on the positive side," Mamakeesic said in an interview with CBC News Monday afternoon. "To be grateful that we have hotels at the moment; there are reserves in Manitoba that are staying in gymnasiums." Webequie First Nation declared a state of emergency on Thursday due to a wildfire known as Nipigon 5, which is more than 7,500 hectares large. Evacuees are being sent to Barrie, about a one-hour drive north of Toronto. However, Chief Cornelius Wabasse said a shortage of aircraft due to high demands in other communities affected by wildfires delayed the remote Ojibway First Nation's evacuation. "There is a shortage of planes and also other resources," Wabasse told CBC News in an interview Monday morning. The first planes were expected to arrive in the community Monday and bring about 200 of the First Nation's most vulnerable down south. CBC News has reached out to the provincial government for comment on Webequie's concerns about a shortage of planes, and is awaiting a response. Concerns around culture shock, outside influences While Wabasse's main goal is keeping community members safe while they wait for planes out of Webequie, Mamakeesic says his top priority is maintaining security in Toronto for the members of Deer Lake First Nation. Fewer than 1,500 people live in Deer Lake. Like Webequie, it's only accessible by plane or winter road. Transitioning from life in the remote north to Canada's most populous city "is a cultural shock," Mamakeesic said. He's worried about the high traffic levels near the hotel, as well as pressures on community members to consume alcohol or drugs because they're "easier down here to get," he said. Two years ago, Deer Lake members were evacuated to Cornwall because of wildfires. A lot of lessons were learned through that experience, Mamakeesic said, including the importance of keeping community members engaged. "I'm trying to integrate my workers into what's already set up to make it easier. That's a big lesson I'm learning from my past evacuations," he said. For example, while ISN Maskwa, an Indigenous emergency operations centre, is providing security services for evacuees in Toronto, Mamakeesic is trying to get his own community members to work with them, so evacuees can deal with familiar faces. Overall, though, he's been encouraging people to make the most out of their time in Toronto while they wait for the all-clear to return home. "I think it's going well," he said. "I always tell my council, it reflects on us to be calm and if we work collaboratively, then it filters down to our people."
CBC
20 hours ago
- Climate
- CBC
Wildfires prompt air quality statements across northwestern Ontario as evacuations continue
A number of special air quality statements are in effect across northwestern Ontario, as wildfire activity remains rampant throughout the region. Environment and Climate Change Canada issued the statements early Monday morning for well over a dozen communities, including several First Nations: Big Trout Lake – Kasabonika. Dryden – Vermilion Bay. Ear Falls – Perrault Falls – Western Lac Seul. Fort Frances – Emo – Rainy River. Kenora – Grassy Narrows – Whitedog. Pickle Lake – Cat Lake. Pikangikum – Poplar Hill – MacDowell. Red Lake – Woodland Caribou Park. Sachigo Lake – Bearskin Lake. Sandy Lake – Weagamow Lake – Deer Lake. Sioux Lookout – Eastern Lac Seul. Sioux Narrows – Nestor Falls - Morson. Summer Beaver – Wunnummin Lake – Kingfisher Lake. Webequie. "Wildfire smoke is expected to move into the area early this morning and may remain in place for the next several days for some areas," the statements say. "As smoke levels increase, health risks increase. Limit time outdoors. Consider reducing or rescheduling outdoor sports, activities and events." Community evacuations are continuing in Deer Lake First Nation and Webequie First Nation due to nearby wildfires. Meanwhile, members of Wabaseemoong Independent Nations have been under an evacuation order since mid-May. Webequie First Nation first declared a state of emergency on Thursday. Chief Cornelius Wabasse said high demands for aircraft in other communities affected by wildfires delayed his community's evacuation. "There is a shortage of planes and also other resources," Wabasse told CBC News in an interview on Monday morning. He said the first planes were expected to arrive in Webequie on Monday to bring the most vulnerable community members to Barrie, which is about a one-hour drive north of Toronto. While Nipigon 5 is a few kilometres from the remote Ojibway community, Wabasse said, "the wind has shifted from the south, so it's coming towards the community now." It's been a few years since Webequie First Nation went through a community evacuation, he said, which signifies the need to do more to prepare for emergencies going forward. "There needs to be a lot of awareness of fires that we have in nearby communities and how we react. I think we just need to be prepared for any disasters in our community." 'Ontario stands with our northern communities' "Ontario stands with our northern communities and neighbouring provinces as they face the devastating impact of ongoing wildfires," said the province's minister of emergency preparedness and response, Jill Dunlop, in an emailed statement to CBC News on Sunday. "The Ministry of Emergency Preparedness and Response is actively working with Indigenous leadership, federal and local partners to support evacuation efforts and with the delivery of essential services in northern Ontario." There are 12 active wildfires in northwestern Ontario, including four of note: Red Lake 12, which is near Deer Lake First Nation, is more than 17,900 hectares large. Nipigon 5, which is near Webequie First Nation, is more than 7,500 hectares large. It is not under control. Kenora 20, which is near Ingolf and Wabaseemoong, is more than 35,000 hectares large. It is not under control. Kenora 14, which is near Wabaseemoong, is more than 1,600 hectares large. It is currently being held. "The priority of our response is the protection of public safety including the protection of critical infrastructure and property. Efforts have been concentrated on structure protection and crews will be deployed as conditions allow," said minister of natural resources Mike Harris in an emailed statement to CBC News on Sunday. "Ontario is currently receiving support from our mutual aid partners through the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre. Equipment and personnel from British Columbia, Quebec, Alberta and New Brunswick [have] been deployed." A restricted fire zone — which means no open air burning is allowed — remains in effect for much of the region. Evacuees have been sent to a number of different communities: Up to 1,300 community members from Deer Lake First Nation are being relocated to Sioux Lookout and the Toronto region. Up to 400 community members from Webequie First Nation are being sent to Simcoe County; Wabasse said the community is starting with an evacuation of 200 people. About 450 community members from Wabaseemoong are staying in the Niagara region.
CTV News
2 days ago
- Climate
- CTV News
Simcoe County to accommodate hundreds of wildfire evacuees
An aerial view of smoke from the Kenora 20 wildland fire on May 24, 2025. (Ministry of Natural Resources/Ontario Forest Fires/X) As the wildfire season continues to worsen in northwestern areas of Ontario, local first responders and services are preparing to accommodate hundreds who have been forced to evacuate. Approximately 400 residents from Webequie First Nation are expected to be transported to Barrie as part of a Phase 1 evacuation prioritizing elders, children, and individuals with medical conditions. According to a Saturday evening update by Ontario's Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR), there were 16 active wildland fires in the Northwest Region, including two new ones discovered near Thunder Bay and Nipigon. There were also three active wildland fires in the Northeast Region, including a new one near Sudbury. Barrie's deputy fire chief told CTV News that their aid plan is very 'preliminary' but confirmed that they are preparing to host evacuees early this week. The MNR says the fire hazard is 'high' to 'extreme' across most the Northwest Region and 'low' to 'moderate' across the Northeast Region. Note: This is a developing story. We will provide additional updates as they become available. With files from CTV's Dan Bertrand and the Canadian Press. Cochrane 2 & 3 Fires An aerial view of active Cochrane district fires on May 29, 2023. (Ministry of Natural Resources/Ontario Forest Fires/X)
CTV News
3 days ago
- Climate
- CTV News
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. 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.
CTV News
3 days ago
- Climate
- CTV News
Northern Ontario wildfires force hundreds to evacuate
Amateur video of waterbombers during active aerial suppression operations against the Red Lake 12 fire on May 30, 2025. Hundreds of residents from two First Nations communities in northwest Ontario are being evacuated as wildfires continue to rage across the region, with officials warning of worsening conditions due to high winds and dry terrain. Fire ranger using hose An Ontario fire ranger blasts water from a hose at the perimeter of a forest firest in this undated photo. (Ministry of Natural Resources/Ontario Forest Fires/X) The Ministry of Natural Resources reported in Friday evening's wildfire update bulletin that 14 active fires are burning in the northwest region, three of which were newly discovered. The fire hazard is classified as 'high to extreme' across much of the area, prompting the implementation of a Restricted Fire Zone in multiple districts. For real-time fire hazard conditions, evacuation orders and burning restrictions, consult the MNR's interactive forest fire map. Evacuations underway Approximately 400 residents from Webequie First Nation are expected to be transported to Barrie, Ont., as part of a Phase 1 evacuation prioritizing elders, children, and individuals with medical conditions. The evacuation comes as Nipigon 5, a wildfire threatening the community, expanded to 6,986 hectares and remains not under control. Chief Cornelius Wabasse of Webequie First Nation assured residents that leadership is working with emergency officials to ensure safety. 'I would encourage all residents of Webequie First Nation to be rest assured that we are committed to keeping our residents informed and safe,' Wabasse said in a May 30 news release. 'We will work with partners and government to ensure our needs are met, both in the community and at the evacuation site.' — A statement issued by Cornelius Wabasse, Chief of Webquie First Nation Meanwhile, Deer Lake First Nation declared a full evacuation due to the Red Lake 12 fire, which has grown to 9,616 hectares and is encroaching on the community. Fire rangers with hose pack Two Ontario fire rangers, one with a hose pack on their back, walk through a forested area recently impacted by wildland fire in this undated photo. (Ministry of Natural Resources/Ontario Forest Fires/X) Fire ranger crews are laying hose lines and conducting aerial suppression, but smoke is expected to impact the area throughout the weekend. Political calls for increased support Sol Mamakwa, Ontario NDP Deputy Leader and MPP for Kiiwetinoog, whose riding includes the two First Nation communities being evacuated, urged the provincial government to expedite support for evacuees and firefighters. Sol Mamakwa Sol Mamakwa, Ontario MPP for the riding of Kiiwetinoong, leaves the stage after speaking to supporters at the Ontario NDP Leadership showcase in Toronto on Saturday February 4, 2023. (Chris Young/The Canadian Press) 'My thoughts are with the community members from Deer Lake First Nation and Webequie First Nation as they begin their evacuations,' Mamakwa said in a statement on Friday. 'I am calling on the Government of Ontario to fully support the communities... in their evacuations and eventual return.' He has also been critical of recent budget cuts to wildland firefighting, citing a $42 million reduction in emergency firefighting funds in his news release. Other fires of concern Kenora 20, spanning 34,008 hectares (including a Manitoba portion), remains uncontained. Fire crews are managing hotspots with helicopter bucketing operations. Kenora 20 - fire An aerial view of smoke from the Kenora 20 wildland fire on May 24, 2025. (Ministry of Natural Resources/Ontario Forest Fires/X) Kenora 14 is being held at 1,607 hectares, while Sioux Lookout 3 and Fort Frances 4 are also under control but still active. Kenora 14 - smoke Smoke rising from Kenora 14 file on May 9, 2025. (Ministry of Natural Resources/Ontario Forest Fires/X) Travel and land use restrictions The MNR has issued Implementation Orders restricting travel, waterway use, and Crown land access in fire-affected zones, including: A complete evacuation order for areas near the Kenora 32 fire. Road closures near Kenora 20 and Kenora 14, with permits required for authorized travel. A closed road with traffic barriers setup by the Ministry of Natural Resouces - undated A closed road with traffic barriers setup by the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resouces is shown in this undated photo. (Ministry of Natural Resources/Ontario Forest Fires/X) Ongoing firefighting efforts Aircraft, including waterbombers and helicopters, are actively suppressing fires near Webequie and Deer Lake. An Incident Management Team has been deployed to oversee the Red Lake 12 response. Twin Otter water bomber An undated photo Twin Otter water bomber aircraft during an active fire surpression operation. (Ministry of Natural Resources/Ontario Forest Fires/X) Officials warn that high winds and dry conditions could exacerbate fire growth in the coming days. Updates on evacuation logistics and fire status are being shared via the MNR's interactive fire map and community bulletins.
