Ontario says it has issued a formal request for assistance to the federal government, including for possible evacuations, as fires continue to rage on Thursday in the northern part of the province.
In a letter sent Wednesday to her federal counterpart, Emergency Preparedness Minister Jill Dunlop said that 15 communities in northern Ontario that are being evacuated or considering evacuations.
Satellite imagery from Tuesday shows the Fort Frances 14 wildfire, located roughly 130 kilometres northwest of Thunder Bay, Ont.Planet Labs PBC
She told Emergency Management Minister Eleanor Olszewski there may need to be simultaneous evacuations, including by air, and that the province may not have enough suitable aircraft to support all who need to evacuate.
Ms. Dunlop said in a statement the province may need to enlist help from the help of Canadian Armed Forces.
She added that the provincial emergency operations centre, which co-ordinates the government’s response to major emergencies, is working closely with community leadership, Indigenous Services Canada, Public Safety Canada and the Ministry of Natural Resources “to support the safe evacuation of those at risk.”
“This is a fast-moving and evolving situation,” she said, adding affected residents should heed the advice of local authorities and follow any evacuation orders.
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Ms. Dunlop also asked the federal government respond within 24 hours, not the usual 48 hours, to ensure crews are ready to respond.
In a statement Thursday, Ms. Olszewski confirmed that Ottawa received the province’s request for air evacuation support “late last night.” She said the request is “precautionary” and she is in close contact with Ms. Dunlop to ensure that federal resources are rapidly mobilized to assist specific needs as the province continues to lead the wildfire response on the ground.
Prime Minister Mark Carney began a London, Ont., press conference for a defence announcement by acknowledging the fire situation. “Thousands of Canadians’ lives have been upended, are being upended, by the wildfires across the country,” he said.
“We’re in close communication with our provincial and municipal counterparts,” he added, “and we’ll stand ready and will be providing additional assistance as needed because Canadians always look after each other.”
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Ontario Premier Doug Ford said in a social media post on Thursday that more than 150 fire crews and nearly 50 firefighting aircraft are working to protect communities from the fires in northern Ontario.
“Our government won’t spare a penny to support their heroic work, and we’re doubling down with historic investments in new firefighting crews and equipment to keep Ontario safe,” Mr. Ford said.
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 says the community of Armstrong can expect widespread smoke, with wind gusts of up to 40 kilometres per hour for most of today.
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.
With files from The Canadian Press