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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.
CTV News
11-06-2025
- General
- CTV News
Evacuee recalls ‘surreal' escape as northern Ontario wildfire threatens First Nation
More than 50 dogs and cats rescued from northern Ontario wildfires arrived safely in Barrie. When Destiny Rae boarded the military airplane that was evacuating residents of her First Nation in northwestern Ontario on Sunday, she looked out the window and saw her community in a smoky haze. 'It's very surreal, you feel very sad,' Rae recalled. 'I remember looking back at the airport terminal and thinking, 'This is my home. I hope it's here when I come back.' National Defence said CC-130 Hercules airplanes have been airlifting people out of Sandy Lake First Nation as a wildfire burns through the area, and more than 1,400 people had been evacuated as of Tuesday afternoon. Among the evacuees was Rae, who said she's not sure when she'll be able to return home — and what will be left standing — as a 1,500-square kilometre, out-of-control blaze threatens her community. As of Monday night, the provincial government said there were more than 20 active fires in northwestern Ontario, and six of them are out of control. One of those fires remains about 6.5 kilometres from Sandy Lake First Nation, it said. Rae said she was in disbelief when community leaders began evacuation efforts on Saturday, and 'everything just moved so fast.' People began packing and planes started flying in as the smoke made it hard to breathe, she recalled. 'I walked out of the house and then to the left you see blue skies ... then I turn right and then it's just bright orange and the skies are smoky,' said Rae. 'It's a very scary feeling knowing then the fire is just right there.' The plane had to circle around multiple times before it could safely land in Sandy Lake, she said, because the smoke was causing poor visibility. Rae said her mother, son, sister and sister's children boarded two military planes headed for Thunder Bay. Her brother is still in the community helping people, she added. 'It was a very sad moment when we took off,' Rae said. The province said communities in Kapuskasing and southern Ontario are hosting the evacuees. Rae said her family landed in Thunder Bay, then another plane took the evacuees to Mississauga, Ont., just west of Toronto. About three hundred people remain there, she said, including some from Deer Lake First Nation, which was evacuated about two weeks ago. Now, Rae said she's volunteering as a support worker as more people fly in. She's helping them sort out hotel rooms and connect with Red Cross, she said. Across the country, tens of thousands have fled from raging wildfires in recent days, prompting both Saskatchewan and Manitoba to declare provincial states of emergency. In Saskatchewan, the province is dealing with multiple fires in the north that have forced between 10,000 and 15,000 people to flee, including 7,000 from the La Ronge area. Meanwhile, about 21,000 have been forced out of communities in Manitoba ahead of the fires, including all 5,000 residents of the city of Flin Flon and about 6,700 from Pimicikamak Cree Nation. Ontario Premier Doug Ford has said firefighters from the United States have been called in to help fight the fires. On Monday, Australia's High Commission to Canada announced Australian firefighting crews have been deployed to Canada. Although Rae is still worried about what will remain of Sandy Lake First Nation when she returns, the experience has shown her how community members have shown up for one another. 'We just have to take it one day at a time,' Rae said. 'Most importantly, we just help each other in a time like this ... I know we can get by if we're just there for each other.' This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 10, 2025. Rianna Lim, The Canadian Press
CBC
11-06-2025
- Climate
- CBC
Wildfire near Sandy Lake First Nation a 'sleeping giant' as evacuation flights pause
Social Sharing Spanning 163,000 hectares, the largest wildfire in northwestern Ontario — Red Lake 12 — is now being called a "sleeping giant." The fire is six kilometres from Sandy Lake First Nation and remains not under control. "Because of the cooler weather, you're not seeing anything right now. But there isn't enough rain," Ontario's Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) said in an update provided by Sandy Lake First Nation on Tuesday. "It could take months to put out a fire this size." Canadian Armed Forces members were called in to assist efforts on Sunday. Since then, more than 2,000 people have been flown out of the community, the majority boarded onto Hercules aircraft. As of late Tuesday afternoon, the First Nation said Phase 1 of its evacuation had been completed. WATCH | Wildfire evacuees from Sandy Lake First Nation arrive in Greater Toronto Area: Wildfire evacuees from Sandy Lake First Nation arrive in GTA 22 hours ago Duration 2:08 "Flights have been paused," the community said in an official update. "Chief and council will assess over the next few days on further steps. Sandy Lake is NOT under a Phase 2 full evacuation." Evacuees are being sent from Thunder Bay to one of three host communities: Kapuskasing, Cornwall or Mississauga. Red Lake 12 "has destroyed at least seven cabins at different camps and a former fishing lodge owned and operated by Sandy Lake as a healing and land-based camp for youth," the First Nation posted on Facebook on Tuesday night. Fewer than 200 people remain in Sandy Lake, where they are taking care of people's pets as well as the community's critical infrastructure and services, band councillor Cynthia Fiddler told CBC's Superior Morning. Fiddler oversees the community's health portfolio and has been busy co-ordinating with people hosting evacuees to ensure everyone has access to prescriptions and other medical assistance, she said. "I'm needed here," Fiddler said. "With all our people out there, there's still lots of calls coming back." Elsewhere in the region, evacuations are continuing for other First Nations: Deer Lake First Nation evacuees are staying in Toronto due to Red Lake 12. Webequie First Nation evacuees are in Barrie due to the Nipigon 5 wildfire. North Spirit Lake First Nation and Keewaywin First Nations have called for community evacuations; CBC News is awaiting more information about where community members will be sent. Members of Wabaseemoong Independent Nations were staying in Niagara Falls from mid-May to early June due to wildfire Kenora 20, but were cleared to return home on Friday. 'Sandy Lake is so good in a crisis' Sandy Lake is a remote Oji-Cree community in Treaty 5 territory, about 600 kilometres northwest of Thunder Bay. In Tuesday night's update, the First Nation provided clarity about a situation where construction workers were trapped at the Valard Camp and hid in a shipping container to evade the flames. WATCH | Construction workers trapped by wildfire take shelter in shipping container Workers survive wildfire by hiding in shipping container 3 days ago Duration 2:07 Nineteen construction workers survived a fast-moving wildfire in northwestern Ontario by huddling inside a shipping container near Sandy Lake First Nation, which is now under evacuation order. "Workers were preparing to protect the camp by clearing trees, but the fire just came too quick. Helicopters tried but couldn't reach them because of thick smoke," the First Nation said. "Sandy Lake leadership kept in contact. Deputy Chief Marcel Linklater and Coun. Russel Kakepetum drove to the camp and guided them back to the community. The crews were one of the first to be airlifted out of Sandy Lake to safety on a private charter. Sandy Lake is very thankful they are safe and back with their families." At the evacuation hub at Thunder Bay's airport, the First Nation's band rep team has been co-ordinating flights and distributing essential supplies. Despite the uncertainty of when evacuees will return home, Fiddler said the community has always been resilient, no matter the circumstances. "Sandy Lake is so good in a crisis," she said. "When something happens in our community, people are so willing to come together and work for Sandy Lake. They make sure everybody is taken care of. "It has gotten a little chaotic, but we come together fast, and I'm just so grateful to be from Sandy Lake for that." With cooler weather masking the view of the flames over the last couple days, Fiddler said "it just feels like a normal day." However, temperatures are expected to rise on Friday. Sprinkler systems have been set up in the community to protect homes closest to the fire. "FireRanger crews are making excellent progress setting up a consolidated perimeter line on the west side of the community of Sandy Lake and will be assisted by heavy machinery to create a fire break," Ontario Forest Fires said in its latest update Tuesday night. "Aerial suppression continues, with helicopters and buckets supporting FireRanger crews on the ground digging in to establish hoseline, pump and sprinkler perimeters." Air quality statements lifted — for now A special air quality statement first issued for Sandy Lake on May 27 was lifted as of Wednesday. Statements have also been lifted for the Fort Hope, Webequie, Weagamow Lake, Deer Lake and Pikangikum areas. They had been jointly issued by the Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks, as well as Environment and Climate Change Canada. Despite recent rainfall, much of northwestern Ontario remains under a restricted fire zone, which means no open-air burning is allowed. Dr. Peter Lin, a family physician and a medical columnist for CBC, explained how wildfires create a lot of chemicals and tiny particles that affect people's eyes, skin and lining of their breathing tubes. "These [particles] are very tiny, so they can get deep into your lungs," Lin said. While in the short term people may experience eye, nose and throat irritation, headaches or a mild cough due to wildfire smoke, long-term exposure can also increase people's risk of lung cancer, he said. "Check the air quality index. It's easy, right? 10 is bad, one is good. It's all colour-coded," Lin said. "If it's a bad day, then avoid going out. If you have to go out, then use an N95 mask to cut down on the particles that you're breathing in." He also urges people to keep their doors and windows closed during smoky days, and wear sunglasses and long-sleeved shirts to protect their skin. "If you can afford a HEPA filter, that could clean up some of the air inside your house as well," he said.
CBC
11-06-2025
- Climate
- CBC
Wildfires rage across Canada
As many as 40,000 Canadians are out of their homes right now with evacuation alerts and states of emergency in effect across much of western Canada, from B.C. through northern Ontario. Many, especially those from Saskatchewan and Manitoba, have been away from home for weeks, with no indication of when they'll return. CBC Thunder Bay's Sarah Law brings us the story of evacuees from Sandy Lake First Nation, making their way to Thunder Bay, Ont., as fire bears down on their fly-in, fly-out community. Then, Chief David Monias of the Pimicikamak Cree Nation in Manitoba tells us about the struggle his community has had getting the resources to effectively fight the fires and support its community members through the ongoing evacuation.
