Simcoe County to accommodate hundreds of wildfire evacuees
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)
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