Northern Ontario Wildfires Reach 192 as Eabametoong First Nation Begins Evacuating 460 People

Cbc reported that evacuations of roughly 460 members from Eabametoong First Nation began Saturday with seven flights to Niagara Falls. Six more flights are scheduled for Sunday to reach a first-phase total of about 600. The fly-in community lies more than 300 km north of Thunder Bay.

The provincial Aviation, Forest Fire and Emergency Services agency recorded 192 active wildfires across northern Ontario. Nine new fires discovered in the northwest brought that region's total to 138. One additional fire, Wawa 28, was found in the northeast and measured 0.1 hectares.

The Fort Frances 14 fire exceeds 55,000 hectares and remained out of control as of Saturday morning. Ontario issued an evacuation order Friday for areas near Baril, Bedivere and Windigoostigwan lakes and Lac des Mille Lacs. More than a dozen communities face mandatory orders, including Namaygoosisagagun First Nation, which was destroyed earlier in the week.

Premier Doug Ford said Saturday that more than 155 fire crews and 80 aircraft are deployed, with 40 additional aircraft on standby. Helicopters, aircraft and personnel have arrived from Alberta and Yukon. Incident management teams were mobilized for the Fort Frances and Thunder Bay sectors.

Orange air quality alerts cover Atikokan, Thunder Bay and several other communities. The City of Thunder Bay closed outdoor pools, beaches, golf courses, the botanical conservatory and outdoor marina services. Business and multi-residential garbage collection was suspended.

Indigenous Services Canada said it is coordinating with First Nations leadership and Ontario to support affected communities. Wilfred King, chief of Kiashke Zaaging Anishinaabek, said he received information three days old as of Friday. Ontario has requested federal resources to assist with evacuations.