logo
First planes carrying wildfire evacuees from northwestern Ontario head to Toronto area

First planes carrying wildfire evacuees from northwestern Ontario head to Toronto area

CBC12-07-2025
Social Sharing
Phillip Campbell has been closely watching the skies to see which way the wind blows — and whether it will keep nearby wildfires at bay.
The elder and head councillor of North Spirit Lake First Nation in northwestern Ontario is among roughly 240 evacuees travelling south to escape Red Lake 62, an out-of-control blaze that's more than 26,000 hectares large.
The first planes out of the remote Oji-Cree community landed in Thunder Bay Friday afternoon. From there, evacuees — consisting of some of the community's most vulnerable — will be flown to Toronto.
Fewer than 500 people live in North Spirit Lake, located in Treaty 5 territory.
As a passenger aboard the first plane, Campbell said he's worried about those left waiting for the next available aircraft.
"If it's windy from there, the fire will go to North Spirit really fast and that's dangerous," Campbell said. "I don't know what's going to happen to them if it actually comes down to the wire."
South of North Spirit Lake, one of the region's largest remote First Nations — Pikangikum — is preparing for its evacuation starting Saturday. About 2,000 evacuees from the Ojibway community in Treaty 5 have been identified, and are being sent to Toronto and Mississauga.
Ben Curtis, inspector of operational support for the Ontario Provincial Police in the northwest region, spent Friday fielding calls from Pikangikum.
"They are compiling lists in collaboration with our provincial liaison team that's on the ground, and that's really to focus on the Level 1 and Level 2 evacuations," Curtis said.
"[They're] focusing on a little bit more of the vulnerable population that are in Pikangikum — those that are a little less mobile, those that have some kind of increased needs such as medical concerns and things like that."
A much smaller community, MacDowell Lake, has also issued an evacuation alert and is urging members to leave. Fewer than 100 people live there.
There are nearly 50 wildfires burning across the region at various stages of control. The largest, Red Lake 12, has reached more than 195,000 hectares, setting a record for most hectares burned in Ontario.
"Ongoing drought conditions, low relative humidity, and a lack of precipitation through the northern fire management sectors have contributed to extreme fire behaviour and continued growth on active fires," fire information officer Alison Bezubiak told CBC News in an email Friday.
"More precipitation is expected through the weekend, but we will have a better idea of how that rain will impact the wildland fire hazard and fire behaviour once it materializes."
'Everybody has to go'
The office of Jill Dunlop, Ontario's minister of emergency preparedness and response, provided an emailed statement to CBC News on Friday about the government's support for evacuees.
"Our government is working closely with local communities, First Nations leadership, and emergency partners to co-ordinate safe evacuations in North Spirit Lake First Nation and [assist] with the relocation of vulnerable residents from Pikangikum," it says.
"We remain in close contact with our provincial and federal partners to make sure people receive the care, transportation, and support they need."
Still, those in transit are feeling the weight of uncertainty at hand.
"It's difficult when you travel from home," said Homer Meekis, a band councillor for North Spirit Lake, who arrived in Thunder Bay on Friday with his children and grandchildren.
"Staying in a hotel with family members, it is going to be really crowded and stuff, and people are used to their own places."
North Spirit Lake prepared for a community evacuation about a month ago, but at that time, the fire activity eased enough to allow people to stay, explained evacuee Edna Rae-Harper, who is Chief Brandon Rae's aunt.
"I just wanted to stay home, but nobody can stay home because everybody has to go," she said.
She was told at least six planes were expected to bring people to Thunder Bay Friday and Saturday.
Meanwhile, Sandy Lake First Nation — which began to bring its 2,000 wildfire evacuees home last Friday — has had to pause a number of flights due to demands for aircraft in other fire-affected communities.
Though five private flights out of Thunder Bay have been arranged by the Oji-Cree community for the weekend, as well as a small plane in Kapuskasing, all evacuee flights from Barrie and Peterborough have been put on hold, the First Nation said in an update on Facebook Friday.
Ontario FireRangers 'among the best in the world'
Air quality warnings and special air quality statements remain in effect in much of northwestern Ontario as the fire hazard ranges across the region.
"Following widespread rain overnight and this morning, the wildland fire hazard is low to moderate across the majority of the northwest region except for the Red Lake and Nipigon fire management sectors," said Bezubiak.
"A high hazard remains through the central and eastern portions of the Nipigon sector. In Red Lake, the hazard is high through the central and western portions of the sector, with an area of extreme hazard around Poplar Hill."
Ontario's Ministry of Natural Resources says it's all hands on deck to keep communities safe.
"Wildland fire management staff are working around the clock to protect these communities through aerial suppression, ground operations, and structural protection efforts," said Mary Votsis, a spokesperson for the department, in an emailed statement Friday.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Montreal air quality ranked worst in the world due to Prairie wildfire smoke
Montreal air quality ranked worst in the world due to Prairie wildfire smoke

Globe and Mail

time2 hours ago

  • Globe and Mail

Montreal air quality ranked worst in the world due to Prairie wildfire smoke

Smoke from wildfires in the Canadian Prairies has led to air quality warnings across southern Quebec. Swiss company IQAir this morning ranked Montreal as having the worst air quality in the world. Environment Canada has issued warnings that recommend limiting time spent outdoors. It says people with existing health conditions, seniors, pregnant women, infants and young children should avoid strenuous outdoor activities this weekend. Wildfire concern differs widely across Canada, poll shows Heat warnings are also in effect in southern Quebec for Sunday, Monday and Tuesday. Temperatures are expected to top 30 C during the day and remain above 20 C at night.

Heat, thunderstorm and air quality alerts: What's in store for Canadians this weekend
Heat, thunderstorm and air quality alerts: What's in store for Canadians this weekend

CTV News

time2 hours ago

  • CTV News

Heat, thunderstorm and air quality alerts: What's in store for Canadians this weekend

Weather advisories in effect in different parts of Canada. (Environment Canada) Residents of Quebec and Manitoba can expect a sweltering start to the weekend as Environment Canada warns of extreme heat and humidity in parts of the country. The weather advisory posted on Saturday says southern Quebec can expect temperatures over 30 C and a humidex of around 40 from Sunday afternoon through Tuesday. 'It will be particularly uncomfortable at night,' the weather advisory warns, with temperatures remaining higher than 20 C. Areas in southern Manitoba are under a similar warning for Saturday, with humidex values of around 38 in the afternoon. 'Conditions are expected to improve with the passage of a cold front overnight Saturday night,' Environment Canada says. Health Canada has issued an advisory for how to protect yourself from the health effects of extreme heat. Meanwhile, warnings of severe thunderstorms 'capable of producing nickel to ping pong ball size hail' have been issued for parts of Ontario. The weather advisory also warns of winds gusting 90 km/hand heavy rains. Impacted areas include Cat Lake, Casummit Lake, Birch Lake, Whitestone Lake, Kapikik Lake, Gitche Lake, Maxim Lake, McCoy Lake, Nikip Lake and Senia Lake. Air Quality Warnings Environment Canada continues to issue air quality warnings for regions in Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, Saskatchewan and the Northwest Territories. Wildfire smoke is causing poor air quality and reduced visibility in these areas through the weekend, the weather alert says. 'Air quality and visibility due to wildfire smoke can fluctuate over short distances and can vary considerably from hour to hour,' it reads. Residents are advised to avoid outdoor activities, reschedule or cancel outdoor events, keep their doors and windows closed and use a respirator-type mask like a NIOSH-certified N95 or equivalent to reduce exposure to smoke. More information about the effects of wildfire smoke can be found here.

Wildfire smoke chokes northern Manitoba air, while hot, humid weather plagues the south
Wildfire smoke chokes northern Manitoba air, while hot, humid weather plagues the south

CBC

time3 hours ago

  • CBC

Wildfire smoke chokes northern Manitoba air, while hot, humid weather plagues the south

Social Sharing As a large swath of Manitoba deals with heavy wildfire smoke polluting the air, others in the province are starting the weekend amidst suffocating heat and humid conditions. Environment and Climate Change Canada has issued an air quality warning for much of northern Manitoba including Thompson, The Pas and Flin Flon on Saturday morning. With relatively light winds, smoke is expected to concentrate especially over the area near active wildfires, causing poor air quality and reduced visibility throughout the day. Everyone's health is at risk, regardless of age or health status, during heavy smoke conditions, the federal agency said. But pregnant people, children, seniors and those with underlying health conditions are more likely to be impacted. Environment Canada is advising people to reschedule or cancel outdoor sports and activities. People who work outdoors should avoid extraneous activities and seek medical attention if experiencing symptoms. Those may include eye eye, nose and throat irritation, headaches or a mild cough. More less common symptoms include wheezing, chest pains or severe cough, Environment Canada said. According to the province's latest fire bulletin, issued Friday, the Manitoba Wildfire Service was responding to 121 active wildfires across the province, which has seen a total of 337 wildfires to date, well above the average for this time of year of 260. Heat warning Meanwhile, pockets of southern Manitoba, including the cities of Winnipeg, Brandon and Portage la Prairie, are under a heat warning. Humid and hot conditions are expected to remain throughout Saturday with temperatures reaching the low 30's C and humidex values nearing 38, Environment Canada said. Conditions are expected to improve with a cold front moving overnight Saturday, but in the meantime the weather agency is advising people to watch for signs of early heat exhaustion including headache, dizziness and intense fatigue. Extreme heat can affect everyone's health, but the risks are greater for older adults and other vulnerable people, Environment Canada said. To reduce the health effects of heat, stay out of direct sunlight, drink plenty of water and stay in a cool space, closing blinds and open windows if it is cooler outside than inside or turning on air conditioning. The weather agency also advises people to ensure children and pets are never left alone in closed vehicles.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store