Latest news with #RedLake12
CBC
3 days ago
- General
- CBC
Pilot lands helicopter in lake after it loses power while fighting northwestern Ontario wildfire
One of the helicopters used in the province's wildfire fighting efforts lost power this week over a lake in northwestern Ontario, forcing the pilot to use another way to land it safely in shallow water. The pilot was uninjured and the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) is gathering more information. The incident occurred shortly before 6 p.m. CT on Monday, a TSB spokesperson told CBC News in an email on Wednesday. "A Guardian Helicopters Inc. Bell 205A-1 helicopter was conducting aerial firefighting activities near Sandy Lake, Ont. Shortly after scooping a load of water from a lake, the engine stopped producing power," Chris Krepski said Wednesday. The pilot, who was the only one in the chopper, released "the water load and conducted an autorotation landing in a shallow part of the lake." Autorotation is a manoeuvre that pilots use to land a helicopter after it loses power. It involves using the upward airflow through the rotor blades to glide the helicopter to safety. Ontario 'thankful the pilot is safe' Wildfire fighting efforts have been underway in different parts of Canada, in one of the country's worst wildfire seasons. Canadian Armed Forces personnel were called to Sandy Lake First Nation — a remote Oji-Cree community about 600 kilometres northwest of Thunder Bay — on June 8 to assist in the evacuation of over 2,000 people due to the region's largest wildfire, Red Lake 12. Red Lake 12, which was discovered May 28 and remains not under control, spans more than 177,000 hectares. It also prompted the evacuation of more than 800 people from Deer Lake First Nation, and a number of people from Keewaywin and North Spirit Lake. Krepski said that in the case of the Monday helicopter incident, an emergency locator transmitter was activated once it started going down and another helicopter in the area responded to the site. The TSB was quickly notified and is collecting information, but isn't currently deploying any investigators as the incident is being assessed, he said. A spokesperson for Ontario's Ministry of Natural Resources said it's aware of what happened and is "thankful the pilot is safe." Alexandra Weber, a ministry spokesperson, said its aviation and safety experts "will fully co-operate" with Transport Canada and the Transportation Safety Board. The province's latest wildfire update, on Tuesday night, said Red Lake 12 had not moved any closer to Sandy Lake First Nation or Deer Lake First Nation, "owing to the firefighting work that has been performed on those sections of perimeter." "Heavy helicopters with buckets and water bombers have been used in recent days to help reduce fire intensity," Ontario Forest Fires said. "Firefighting crews, supported by bucketing helicopters, are making progress in consolidating hose lines and maintaining protective sprinkler systems on buildings and infrastructure in Deer Lake, Sandy Lake and Keewaywin." The wildfire hazard varies across the region. While rainfall has lowered the risks in the Thunder Bay and Fort Frances sectors, as well as the southern half of Nipigon, the far north is seeing moderate to high hazards.
CTV News
6 days ago
- Politics
- CTV News
Wildfire near two Ontario First Nations ‘like a sleeping giant' for now, MPP says
Smoke from wildfires is shown at Sandy Lake First Nation, Ont., in this Saturday, June 7, 2025, handout photo. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Handout | Photo Credit: Destiny Rae) A provincial legislator says a massive wildfire that has forced the evacuation of two northern Ontario First Nations is like a 'sleeping giant' at the moment. Sol Mamakwa, the New Democrat representative for Kiiwetinoong, visited Sandy Lake First Nation on Thursday. Much of the community of 2,000 people has been forced to leave for different parts of Ontario because of the fire known as Red Lake 12. Ontario officials say the fire is more than 160,000 hectares in size and not under control. The same fire earlier forced the evacuation of Deer Lake First Nation, though fire rangers have now successfully created a fire break around the perimeter of the community. Mamakwa says about 200 people remain in Sandy Lake First Nation, along with the fire rangers. 'It's pretty much like a sleeping giant, the officials told me,' Mamakwa said. Fire rangers and community members are busy working around the clock to protect buildings, he said. They are setting up sprinkler systems around many buildings, including the community centre, as well as around large fuel tanks. 'This fire is just massive,' Mamakwa said after flying over it when he arrived Thursday around noon. There wasn't much smoke near the community when he landed, but by the time he left around 6 p.m., smoke began billowing again. Mamakwa has been asking several levels of government for years to invest in bigger and better runways in remote First Nations. The military flew in with massive CC-130 Hercules planes to help with the evacuation at Sandy Lake, but the aircraft 'could not take the full capacity because the airstrip is too small,' he said. Despite that, the 'organized chaos' of getting nearly 2,000 people out of the community was successful, he said. Wildfires have been raging across northern parts of Ontario, Manitoba and Saskatchewan. Webequie First Nation east of Sandy Lake has also been evacuated due to a different fire that is about 11,000 hectares in size and is not under control. More than 10,000 people in Saskatchewan and 21,000 in Manitoba have been forced out of their communities because of the fires. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 13, 2025. Liam Casey, The Canadian Press
Globe and Mail
13-06-2025
- Politics
- Globe and Mail
Massive wildfire near two Ontario First Nations is ‘like a sleeping giant,' MPP says
A provincial legislator says a massive wildfire that has forced the evacuation of two northern Ontario First Nations is like a 'sleeping giant' at the moment. Sol Mamakwa, the New Democrat representative for Kiiwetinoong, visited Sandy Lake First Nation on Thursday. Much of the community of 2,000 people has been forced to leave for different parts of Ontario because of the fire known as Red Lake 12. Ontario officials say the fire is more than 160,000 hectares in size and not under control. Smoke map: Squamish wildfire harms air quality in Whistler as warnings in place in B.C, Alta., Y.T. Wildfire evacuees from remote north faced with hard decisions about their pets The same fire earlier forced the evacuation of Deer Lake First Nation, though fire rangers have now successfully created a fire break around the perimeter of the community. Mamakwa says about 200 people remain in Sandy Lake First Nation, along with the fire rangers. 'It's pretty much like a sleeping giant, the officials told me,' Mamakwa said. Fire rangers and community members are busy working around the clock to protect buildings, he said. They are setting up sprinkler systems around many buildings, including the community centre, as well as around large fuel tanks. 'This fire is just massive,' Mamakwa said after flying over it when he arrived Thursday around noon. There wasn't much smoke near the community when he landed, but by the time he left around 6 p.m., smoke began billowing again. Mamakwa has been asking several levels of government for years to invest in bigger and better runways in remote First Nations. The military flew in with massive CC-130 Hercules planes to help with the evacuation at Sandy Lake, but the aircraft 'could not take the full capacity because the airstrip is too small,' he said. Despite that, the 'organized chaos' of getting nearly 2,000 people out of the community was successful, he said. Wildfires have been raging across northern parts of Ontario, Manitoba and Saskatchewan. Webequie First Nation east of Sandy Lake has also been evacuated due to a different fire that is about 11,000 hectares in size and is not under control. More than 10,000 people in Saskatchewan and 21,000 in Manitoba have been forced out of their communities because of the fires.
Toronto Sun
13-06-2025
- Politics
- Toronto Sun
Wildfire near two Ontario First Nations 'like a sleeping giant' for now, MPP says
Published Jun 13, 2025 • Last updated 5 minutes ago • 2 minute read Canadian Armed Forces personnel help evacuate residents threatened by wildfires in Fort Smith, Northwest Territories in 2023. Photo by handout/Canadian Armed Forces / AFP via Getty Images A provincial legislator says a massive wildfire that has forced the evacuation of two northern Ontario First Nations is like a 'sleeping giant' at the moment. 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 Sol Mamakwa, the New Democrat representative for Kiiwetinoong, visited Sandy Lake First Nation on Thursday. Much of the community of 2,000 people has been forced to leave for different parts of Ontario because of the fire known as Red Lake 12. Ontario officials say the fire is more than 160,000 hectares in size and not under control. The same fire earlier forced the evacuation of Deer Lake First Nation, though fire rangers have now successfully created a fire break around the perimeter of the community. Mamakwa says about 200 people remain in Sandy Lake First Nation, along with the fire rangers. 'It's pretty much like a sleeping giant, the officials told me,' Mamakwa said. Fire rangers and community members are busy working around the clock to protect buildings, he said. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. They are setting up sprinkler systems around many buildings, including the community centre, as well as around large fuel tanks. 'This fire is just massive,' Mamakwa said after flying over it when he arrived Thursday around noon. There wasn't much smoke near the community when he landed, but by the time he left around 6 p.m., smoke began billowing again. Mamakwa has been asking several levels of government for years to invest in bigger and better runways in remote First Nations. The military flew in with massive CC-130 Hercules planes to help with the evacuation at Sandy Lake, but the aircraft 'could not take the full capacity because the airstrip is too small,' he said. Despite that, the 'organized chaos' of getting nearly 2,000 people out of the community was successful, he said. Wildfires have been raging across northern parts of Ontario, Manitoba and Saskatchewan. Webequie First Nation east of Sandy Lake has also been evacuated due to a different fire that is about 11,000 hectares in size and is not under control. More than 10,000 people in Saskatchewan and 21,000 in Manitoba have been forced out of their communities because of the fires. World Toronto Maple Leafs Toronto & GTA Canada Music
Hamilton Spectator
13-06-2025
- Politics
- Hamilton Spectator
Wildfire near two Ontario First Nations ‘like a sleeping giant' for now, MPP says
A provincial legislator says a massive wildfire that has forced the evacuation of two northern Ontario First Nations is like a 'sleeping giant' at the moment. Sol Mamakwa, the New Democrat representative for Kiiwetinoong, visited Sandy Lake First Nation on Thursday. Much of the community of 2,000 people has been forced to leave for different parts of Ontario because of the fire known as Red Lake 12. Ontario officials say the fire is more than 160,000 hectares in size and not under control. The same fire earlier forced the evacuation of Deer Lake First Nation, though fire rangers have now successfully created a fire break around the perimeter of the community. Mamakwa says about 200 people remain in Sandy Lake First Nation, along with the fire rangers. 'It's pretty much like a sleeping giant, the officials told me,' Mamakwa said. Fire rangers and community members are busy working around the clock to protect buildings, he said. They are setting up sprinkler systems around many buildings, including the community centre, as well as around large fuel tanks. 'This fire is just massive,' Mamakwa said after flying over it when he arrived Thursday around noon. There wasn't much smoke near the community when he landed, but by the time he left around 6 p.m., smoke began billowing again. Mamakwa has been asking several levels of government for years to invest in bigger and better runways in remote First Nations. The military flew in with massive CC-130 Hercules planes to help with the evacuation at Sandy Lake, but the aircraft 'could not take the full capacity because the airstrip is too small,' he said. Despite that, the 'organized chaos' of getting nearly 2,000 people out of the community was successful, he said. Wildfires have been raging across northern parts of Ontario, Manitoba and Saskatchewan. Webequie First Nation east of Sandy Lake has also been evacuated due to a different fire that is about 11,000 hectares in size and is not under control. More than 10,000 people in Saskatchewan and 21,000 in Manitoba have been forced out of their communities because of the fires. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 13, 2025. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
