Around 2,000 evacuees from various parts of northwestern Ontario have made their way back home following a surge in wildfire activity in mid-July. As of Friday, approximately 829 individuals are still displaced, according to officials from Ontario’s Ministry of Emergency Preparedness and Response.
The recent wildfires necessitated the evacuation of over a dozen communities in the area, predominantly comprising First Nations, and resulted in the complete devastation of two communities: Namaygoosisagagun First Nation (also known as Collins First Nation) and Whitewater Lake First Nation.
Kiashke Zaaging Anishinaabek (Gull Bay First Nation) terminated its state of emergency from mid-July last Wednesday as the wildfire threats subsided in much of the region. Chief and council members urged the evacuees to return to their homes.
Chief Wilfred King of Gull Bay First Nation criticized the Ontario government for rescinding wildfire implementation and evacuation orders in the vicinity, emphasizing that their members and infrastructure still face risks. Despite his initial concerns about lingering forest fire hazards, Chief King and two band councillors surveyed the area via helicopter on Tuesday morning.
Chief King expressed confidence in the situation, stating that while there were some remaining hot spots, the Ministry of Natural Resources assured proper monitoring of the fires on the west side. He highlighted significant improvements in the overall conditions.
Continuing his advocacy efforts, Chief King is pushing for a public inquiry into the province’s wildfire response due to perceived shortcomings in communication with First Nation leaders and emergency preparedness protocols. He stressed the need to address unresolved issues from a month ago.
Gull Bay First Nation, an Ojibway community located about 215 kilometers north of Thunder Bay with a population of around 370 residents, has regained road access. However, Highway 527 between Kopka River and Armstrong and a substantial portion of Highway 811 remain closed in both directions due to nearby wildfires.
Presently, there are nearly 140 wildfires burning across Ontario, predominantly concentrated in the northwest region. Notably, the closest fires to Gull Bay First Nation include Thunder Bay 36, Dryden 34, Dryden 35, and Thunder Bay 56, collectively known as the Rinker Lake Complex.
Efforts to contain the wildfires are ongoing, with FireRanger crews from Manitoba, Nova Scotia, and Ontario actively engaged in suppression operations. Additional support is expected from approximately 60 firefighters from Mexico to bolster the suppression efforts across the Rinker Lake Wildland Fire Complex.
The wildfire risks in the region vary from low to high, with elevated hazards primarily observed in the Kenora and Dryden fire management sectors. The majority of evacuees from Gull Bay have safely returned home, with Chief King emphasizing the importance of remaining vigilant as the official wildfire season extends until October 31. He assured that if the need arises, they are prepared to evacuate once again.