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Ontario has asked the federal government to be ready to help evacuate communities by aircraft across the north where dozens of forest fires are burning out of control.
Ontario Emergency Preparedness Minister Jill Dunlop wrote in a letter to federal Emergency Management Minister Eleanor Olszewski that 15 communities in the north have already started evacuations or are considering them. The situation may continue to escalate rapidly, she said.
Dunlop said it is likely there will be simultaneous evacuations that need to be done by air, with several communities in the north not accessible by road and Ontario may not have enough resources to meet that need. Ontario is asking the federal government to ensure aircraft and crews could be deployed in 24 hours or less in case the province needs assistance.
Olszewski said in a social media post that Ontario’s request was “precautionary in nature” and she is in close contact with Dunlop to ensure that federal resources are quickly mobilized if needed.
She noted that four federally funded wildfire-fighting helicopters have been sent to Ontario and that Indigenous Services Canada is helping affected First Nation communities.
WATCH | CN train passes through flames as wildfires sweep across north Ontario:
CN train crew surrounded by flames as wildfires sweep northern Ontario
A CN crew captured dramatic video of wildfire flames nearly engulfing their train in northern Ontario, where at least 150 wildfires have destroyed homes, forced evacuations and unleashed smoke thick enough to make Toronto’s air quality among the worst in the world.
Prime Minister Mark Carney, speaking in London, Ont., opened his remarks Thursday by acknowledging those whose lives are being upended by the fires. Carney thanked firefighters, first responders as well as local leaders for their efforts.
He vowed the federal government would “stand ready” to help in both Ontario and Manitoba, which has been dealing with flooding.
“Canadians always look after each other,” he said.
Carney said his government is in close communication with provinces and municipalities and will provide additional assistance as needed.
Premier Doug Ford, speaking at an unrelated news conference in Windsor, Ont., Thursday, said over 150 fire crews are responding to more than 180 wildfires across northern Ontario, including crews from the Yukon and Alberta. He added the province will spare no expense in keeping people safe.
WATCH | Ford says province won’t spare a penny to help Ontarians affected by fires:
Doug Ford asked about support for wildfire evacuees
Ontario Premier Doug Ford, speaking from an unrelated event in Windsor on Thursday, praised emergency services but noted more help is needed as people are forced from their homes in northern communities by wildfires. ‘We aren’t going to spare a penny,’ he said.Some communities evacuating, others alerted
Winds out of the northwest could fan the flames of dozens of forest fires that have already devastated communities, including one fast-moving blaze that damaged and destroyed homes and buildings on Namaygoosisagagun First Nation, also known as Collins First Nation, north of Thunder Bay. Environment Canada said the community of Armstrong can expect widespread smoke with wind gusts of up to 40 kilometres per hour for most of Thursday.
The fires have prompted evacuation orders for several communities, including Armstrong, Lac La Croix First Nation, Whitesand First Nation, Gull Bay First Nation and Lac des Mille Lacs First Nation.
Residents of Hutchison, Ramsay Wright, Trottier and Weaver townships are under an evacuation alert as officials warn people in those areas to prepare to leave on short notice. The alert comes as wildfires west of Thunder Bay saw significant growth earlier this week.
Ontario forest fire officials say there are 136 active fires in the northwest region, with 63 out of control. Another 44 fires are burning in the northeast, nine of which are out of control.
The province has said there have been 483 fires in Ontario so far this year, up from 351 as of this time last year and above the province’s 10-year average by mid-July of 320.