The Canadian Armed Forces are helping evacuate a remote northern Ontario First Nation as wildfires continue to spread across the region.
Prime Minister Mark Carney confirmed Sunday that Ottawa has deployed military personnel to assist with emergency evacuations from Sandy Lake First Nation, located roughly 600 kilometres northwest of Thunder Bay.
The military deployment comes after Ontario formally requested federal support. “We’re prepared to mobilize every resource needed to keep Canadians safe,” Carney wrote in a social media post.
The Red Lake 12 wildfire, burning near Deer Lake First Nation, has grown to more than 1,500 square kilometres and was only six kilometres from Sandy Lake as of Sunday. The province says the fire is “out of control,” with high-intensity activity reported in the morning.
Sandy Lake has begun phase one of an evacuation plan, using aircraft and boats. A nearby construction crew had to shelter inside a container Saturday before being safely airlifted out.
Ontario’s Ministry of Natural Resources says fire ranger crews and helicopters are focused on protecting buildings, with little rain expected in the next 24 hours. Deer Lake First Nation remains fully evacuated.
Environment Canada issued air quality warnings across northern Ontario, including Sioux Lookout, Ear Falls, Timmins, and Kapuskasing, due to smoke.
As of Saturday night, 26 active fires were burning in the region, including seven out of control.
The federal government says more support will be sent if needed.
(Written by: Joseph Goden)