Sandy Lake First Nation is undergoing a phase one evacuation due to the Red Lake 12 wildfire, which has grown to over 156,000 hectares and is less than two kilometres away. Over 1,000 vulnerable residents have been flown out, with Thunder Bay acting as an evacuation hub. The Canadian Armed Forces are assisting, and other First Nations (Deer Lake, Keewaywin, North Spirit Lake, Webequie) are also affected by wildfires.
Sandy Lake members 'pulling together' as wildfire evacuation continues: chief
Forest firesCanada/Ottawa(CA)Northern OntarioNorthwestern OntarioOntarioRed LakeThunder BayAviation, Forest Fire and Emergency Services (AFFES)CIty of Thunder BaySandy Lake First NationChris MarchandDave TariniFirst Nations peopleGeneral newsFiresWildfiresEvacuations
AI Summary
TL;DR: Key points with love ❤️Sandy Lake First Nation is undergoing a phase one evacuation due to the Red Lake 12 wildfire, which has grown to over 156,000 hectares and is less than two kilometres away. Over 1,000 vulnerable residents have been flown out, with Thunder Bay acting as an evacuation hub. The Canadian Armed Forces are assisting, and other First Nations (Deer Lake, Keewaywin, North Spirit Lake, Webequie) are also affected by wildfires.
Trending- 1 May 28: Red Lake 12 fire initially reported.
- 2 June 6 and 7: Red Lake 12 fire experienced significant growth.
- 3 June 6 (Friday): Wabaseemoong Independent Nations members cleared to return home.
- 4 June 7 (Saturday): Evacuation order issued for Sandy Lake First Nation.
- 5 June 8 (Sunday): Over 1,000 people evacuated from Sandy Lake First Nation; North Spirit Lake First Nation declared a state of emergency; Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced Canadian Armed Forces assistance.
- 6 June 9 (Monday): Another update expected for Sandy Lake First Nation; Keewaywin First Nation expected to begin an evacuation.
- Mass evacuation of over 1,000 people from Sandy Lake First Nation
- Displacement of residents and disruption to daily life
- Risk to property and infrastructure
- Crew members caught in the fire (though safe)
- Ongoing fire suppression efforts
- Declaration of a state of emergency by North Spirit Lake First Nation
- Evacuation of Deer Lake First Nation to Toronto
- Evacuation of Webequie First Nation to Barrie
What: Evacuation of Sandy Lake First Nation members due to the Red Lake 12 wildfire, which has grown significantly. Other First Nations are also evacuating due to various wildfires, including Nipigon 5.
When: Evacuation order for Sandy Lake First Nation issued on Saturday (June 7th); Red Lake 12 fire initially reported on May 28, experienced significant growth on June 6 and 7; Sunday (June 8th) saw nine flights and over 1,000 people evacuated; an update is expected on Monday (June 9th). Wabaseemoong Independent Nations were cleared to return home on Friday (June 6th).
Where: Sandy Lake First Nation, Red Lake, Thunder Bay, Northern Ontario, Northwestern Ontario, Ottawa, Barrie, Niagara Falls, Deer Lake First Nation, Keewaywin First Nation, North Spirit Lake First Nation, Webequie First Nation, Wabaseemoong Independent Nations, Valard camp.
Why: The Red Lake 12 wildfire is burning less than two kilometres from Sandy Lake First Nation, posing an immediate danger to residents. Other wildfires (Nipigon 5) are also threatening communities.
How: Phase one evacuation focusing on vulnerable residents via flights; Thunder Bay is acting as an evacuation hub for transit and temporary accommodation; Canadian Armed Forces are assisting; aerial suppression and FireRanger crews are working on fire suppression and structure protection.