Nishnawbe Aski Nation wants Ontario to declare emergency as forest fires threaten Indigenous communities

A political organization representing 49 northern Ontario First Nationsis calling on the provinceto declare a state of emergency to enable a full response to support communities, including some being evacuated,threatened by dozens of forest fires.

"If fire conditions and behaviour continue on current course, the potential for full-scale evacuations of several communities is a reality,"Nishnawbe Aski NationGrand Chief Alvin Fiddler said in a news release issued Monday night.

"This is quickly becoming a NAN-wide emergency and requires an immediate, co-ordinated response."

NAN said a provincial emergency declaration would allow full support forcommunity evacuations, including the use of aircraft, watercraftand temporary accommodations in other communities.

Stephen Warner, spokespersonfor the office of Ontario Solicitor General Sylvia Jones, said in a statement Tuesday that Jones has been in contact with Fiddler "to reiterate our commitment to take all required action to keep all Ontarians safe from these fires."

However, Warner said, a provincial declaration of emergency is not required to provide disaster response to communities.

"In Canada, emergency management in First Nation communities is the responsibility of the federal government," Warner said. "In Ontario, we have an agreement with the federal government to provide some preparedness and response activities in First Nation communities."

Evacuations of Deer Lake, Poplar Hill and Pikangikum First Nationsin northwestern Ontario have been taking place in recent days, with members being hosted in othercommunities, including Thunder Bay.

Dozens of fires burning in region

The province's Aviation, Forest Fire and Emergency Services (AFFES) agency said Poplar Hill is being fully evacuated due to Red Lake 65, which is burning about 16 kilometres southwest of the community. The fire is more than 4,000 hectares in size, and not under control.

Meanwhile, Red Lake 51is burning about 27 kilometres west of Deer Lake, and is being observed. The fire covers more than 36,000 hectares.

Vulnerable residents of Deer Lake are being transported out of the community as a precaution, Warner said.

Fire crews have been setting up sprinklers in the areaof both fires, AFFES fire information officer Jonathan Scott said Monday.

Brent Ross, a spokesperson for the Ministry of the Solicitor General (SOLGEN),also confirmed later Tuesday that the province is supporting a precautionary self-evacuation by vulnerable residents ofPikangikumFirst Nation. About 65 residents hadleft the community as of Monday night; updated numbers weren't available Tuesday.

Eric Nordlund, Thunder Bay deputy fire chief, said the city is currently hosting about 170 people from Deer Lakeand about 355 from Poplar Hill after the final evacueesarrived Monday night.

Nordlund said Thunder Bay is at capacity in terms of hosting primary evacuees: that is, evacuees who will be staying in hotels, and are being provided essentials like medical supports and meals.

"We've got no more capacity to manage that, and that's what we're doing: we're managing this with the City of Thunder Bay staff, with our emergency management co-ordinator," and withThunder Bay Fire Rescue, Thunder Bay policeand Superior North EMS.

Evacuees are also being hosted in Kapuskasing, Cochrane, Drydenand Cornwall, Ross said.

Different process for immediate threat to life

Nordlund said if any communities require an emergency evacuation inthe event a forest fire is causing an immediate threat tolives, Thunder Bay could host more evacueesin a larger location like an arena. But that's a different processand would require further government support, as well as involvement from the military.

"That's a question of looking after human life," Nordlund said. "Of course, we would do whatever we could to to support that."

No other northwestern Ontario First Nation communities had requested evacuations as of Tuesday afternoon,Ross said.

"The province will continue to collaborate closely with affected First Nation communities, participating municipalities, the federal government, and the NGO sector to ensure that all necessary resources are deployed to protect people impacted by wildfires," Ross said in a statement.

There were more than 70 fires burning in northwestern Ontario as of Tuesday morning, Scott said.

Fires of note include Kenora51, which is not under control and covers more than 58,000 hectares. It isburning in Woodland Caribou Provincial Park.

Red Lake 68 and Red Lake 77 are both nearly 7,000 hectaresand burning near Red Lake. The municipality posted a message on its Facebook page on Mondayadvising residents to be prepared for a possible evacuation.

Scott said rain is in the forecast for northwestern Ontario on Tuesday, which will help with fire suppression efforts.

Environment Canada said earlier this week that a cold front would be moving through the region on Monday night and Tuesday, bringing cooler temperatures.

However, any reprieve is expected to be brief, as temperatures are expected to returnto heat-warning range by the end of the week, which will likely mark the beginning of a dry, hot spell in northwestern Ontario.