PIKANGIKUM — Residents of Pikangikum First Nation are expected to begin leaving the community on Saturday because of a nearby forest fire.
Additionally, a statement to Newswatch from Jill Dunlop, Ontario's Minister of Emergency Preparedness and Response, said the province is working with "local communities, First Nations leadership, and emergency partners to coordinate safe evacuations in North Spirit Lake First Nation."
The statement also said the province is "assisting with the relocation of vulnerable residents from Pikangikum."
Red Lake 62, located south of Pikangikum First Nation, was roughly 26,404 hectares in size and continues to require active suppression efforts, according to Ministry of Natural Resources wildland fire officials. Alison Bezubiak, a fire information officer, said in an email to Newswatch that low visibility due to smoke has hindered the MNR's ability to "regularly and precisely map the fire area."
Fire ranger crews, bucketing helicopters, fire engines and heavy equipment were assigned to suppress the fire, according to the region's daily wildfire management update issued on Thursday night.
"We are unable to confirm loss of values at this time," Bezubiak said.
Red Lake is not currently impacted.
The North West Region's OPP announced that MacDowell Lake, located about 155 kilometres northeast of Red Lake, is currently under an evacuation alert and residents are encouraged to self-evacuate, as stated in a social media post on Thursday morning.
Pikangikum First Nation was also reported to be under an evacuation notice, with OPP officers on the scene to assist as the situation may progress.
Evacuations in Pikangikum are scheduled to begin on Saturday, relocating around 2,000 community members from the community to Mississauga and Toronto in southern Ontario.
Pikangikum Chief Paddy Peters said in a social media post that stage one of the evacuation includes 500 community members who have yet to be determined.
The OPP added that community members will also receive evacuation instructions from local officials.
The OPP, along with local fire services, will continue to monitor wildfire activity in the Red Lake area.
The provincial Emergency Operations Centre and the Ministry of Natural Resources are also providing assistance.
"We remain in close contact with our provincial and federal partners to make sure people receive the care, transportation, and support they need," Dunlop's statement said.
The latest updates and safety information can be found online.
The story was updated Friday at 3:30 p.m. with additional information from the Ministry of Natural Resources. It was further updated at 4 p.m. to include a statement from Jill Dunlop, Ontario's Minister of Emergency Preparedness and Response.
