More than 900 wildfires are burning across Canada, displacing over 2,000 people from 13 First Nations. One community in Ontario was largely destroyed in under an hour.
Residents of the Namaygoosisagagun First Nation fled by boat after a fast-moving fire overtook their remote community north of Thunder Bay on Wednesday. Community members went door to door to warn neighbors, with all residents now accounted for pending further assessment.
The blaze destroyed homes and buildings in less than an hour. Anishinabek Nation Grand Council Chief Linda Debassige described the event as an unexpected and devastating advance through the community.
Ontario recorded 193 fires, prompting mandatory evacuations in several First Nations including Whitesand and Kiashke Zaaging Anishinaabek. Chiefs held an emergency meeting on Wednesday to address bureaucratic delays in emergency response.
The Assembly of First Nations passed resolutions on Thursday calling for federal support. The federal government is assessing needs for the unrecognized Namaygoosisagagun community.
