This is an update to my previous blog: Forest Fire Evacuees of the Mishkeegogamang First Nation are the First to Come Home.
Although on August 3, 2011, there were 135 active forest fires in northwstern Ontario, all communities affected by the recent forest fires have been deemed safe as Ontario returned all displaced residents back to their homes by the end of last Wednesday.
Also, the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care’s Emergency Medical Assistance Team has demobilized, and its personnel has returned home.
Please note that the Ministry of Natural Resources will continue to monitor forest fire activity in the northwest and will take whatever action is needed to protect communities and keep residents safe.
Ontario, Canada: Newsroom
News Release
Update On Northwestern Ontario Forest Fires And Evacuations – Aug. 3
August 3, 2011
All communities affected by the recent forest fires in northwestern Ontario have been deemed safe, with Ontario returning all displaced residents back to their homes by the end of today.
Provincial evacuation efforts were aided by the federal government, the Canadian Forces, leaders of evacuated communities and communities that hosted evacuated residents.
More than 2000 firefighters – including 600 out-of-province firefighters – continue to suppress fires. Communities are currently not at risk from smoke or fire.
The Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care’s Emergency Medical Assistance Team has demobilized and personnel have returned home.
The Ministry of Natural Resources will continue to monitor forest fire activity in the northwest and will take whatever action is needed to protect communities and keep residents safe.
|
Item
|
Daily update
|
|
Number of fires active
|
135
|
|
New fires
|
11
|
|
Hectares to date
|
579,696
|
|
Fire personnel engaged
|
Over 2,000
|
|
Out-of-province personnel
|
586
|
|
Fire Fighting Aircraft
|
11 heavy bombers, 4 light bombers (twin otters), 85 helicopters
|
|
Repatriation Aircraft
|
8 planes
|
|
Number of evacuees currently displaced
|
164
|
|
Communities partially evacuated
|
Deer Lake First Nation
|
|
Communities fully returned
|
Ebametoong/Fort Hope First Nation
Mishkeegogamang First Nation
Cat Lake First Nation
Koocheching First Nation
North Spirit Lake First Nation
Kasabonika Lake First Nation
Keewaywin First Nation
Kingfisher Lake First Nation
Wawakapewin First Nation
Sandy Lake First Nation
|
|
Evacuated Community
|
Host Community
|
|
Deer Lake First Nation
|
Smiths Falls (164)
|
|
Projected number of residents being repatriated today
|
164 planned
Deer Lake (164) – from Smiths Falls
|
|
Residents Returned Home
|
3,544 (total thus far)
Kingfisher 272 – from Ottawa*
Sandy Lake 1,727 – from Arthur, Greenstone, Wawa, Moosonee, Ignace, Sioux Lookout, Thunder Bay**
Deer Lake 176 – from Smiths Falls
Wawakapewin 9 – from Smiths Falls
Keewaywin 343 – from Greenstone, Winnipeg**
North Spirit Lake 200 – from Greenstone
Koocheching 20 – from Dryden
Cat Lake 363 – from Dryden, Matachewan and Kapuskasing
Eabametoong/Fort Hope 281 – from Greenstone
Mishkeegogamang 153 – from Dryden and Sioux Lookout
* Note: This number includes four Kasabonika residents who were in Kingfisher at the time of the evacuation. They have been returned to their own community.
** Note: These numbers include those who self-identified and were not registered in host communities. They have been returned to their communities
|
QUOTES
“The 2011 fire season is far from over, but the immediate threat to communities during one of the toughest fire seasons on record has subsided. On behalf of all the residents, I want to thank our fire crews and their support teams – as well as those fire crews from outside Ontario who leant their support in our hour of need. These fire professionals met and exceeded every expectation.”
– Linda Jeffrey
Minister of Natural Resources
“Thank you to all the communities across Ontario who warmly welcomed the people temporarily displaced by the fires. Your hospitality and generosity brought comfort to those who were suddenly uprooted from their homes, and helped to keep families and communities united during a difficult time.”
– Jim Bradley
Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services
Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services
ontario.ca/safety