Fires in Northwestern Ontario - Multiple Evacuations

 
Fires in Northwestern Ontario - Multiple Evacuations
 
 
 

July 19, 2011 8:05 PM

1,500 Residents Airlifted To Safety

The Cabinet Committee on Emergency Management convened today to ensure that firefighters and personnel on the ground have the resources needed to evacuate people to safety and extinguish the fires. The evacuation of residents of First Nations communities in Northwestern Ontario continues due to smoke and immediate threats posed by forest fires. Over the last few days, nearly 1,500 residents have been evacuated from communities because of nearby fires or heavy smoke.

Emergency Management Ontario (EMO), the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR), the Canadian Forces and Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada are working closely together with affected First Nations communities to ensure those in danger are safely evacuated. The government is also working with the communities who are accommodating those who have been evacuated.

  • The Cabinet Committee on Emergency Management will continue to convene on a daily basis. The Province will continue to collaborate closely with affected community leaders and officials from other levels of government to ensure that all necessary resources are deployed to fight the fires and protect people and ensure their safe evacuation.
  • EMO is coordinating with local officials in host communities and First Nations leaders to ensure the wellbeing of evacuees.
  • MNR personnel continue to fight multiple fires with ground crews and water bombers and to coordinate the airlift in concert with the Canadian Forces.

QUICK FACTS

 
  • There are over 100 fires currently burning in Northern Ontario.
  • There are 2,000 firefighters and support staff currently involved in fire fighting efforts, including about 500 from out of province.
  • There are 16 waterbombers and 85 other aircraft involved in the firefighting efforts.
  • The Provincial Emergency Operations Centre is now at full activation and coordinating provincial efforts.

CONTACTS

  • Ministry of Natural Resources
  • Media calls only, Greg MacNeil
    Minister's Office
    416-314-2208
  • Media Desk
    Communications Services Branch
    416-314-2106
  • Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services
  • Joe Kim
    Minister's Office
    416-325-8282
  • Greg Flood
    Communications Branch
    416-325-0432



Ministry of Natural Resources
ontario.ca/natural-resources


 

"The collaboration of everyone involved is exemplary. It is displayed in the resiliency of First Nations residents, the dedication of the crews fighting fires on the ground and in the air, to the professionalism of those flying vulnerable residents to safety and in the compassion of the volunteers in host communities."

 – Jim Bradley
Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services

"We are working with the communities in northwestern Ontario to help keep them safe. Protecting people and communities is our priority. A number of communities have evacuated some or all of their people, and we're there to support and help them in the coordination for the evacuation."

 – Linda Jeffrey
Minister of Natural Resources

 
 
 
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