Fire near Sandy Lake First Nation a 'sleeping giant' as evacuation flights pause
Spanning 163,000 hectares, the largest wildfire in northwestern Ontario — Red Lake 12 — is now being called a "sleeping giant."
The fire is six kilometres from Sandy Lake First Nation and remains not under control.
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"Because of the cooler weather, you're not seeing anything right now. But there isn't enough rain," Ontario's Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) said in an update provided by Sandy Lake First Nation on Tuesday.
"It could take months to put out a fire this size."
Canadian Armed Forces members were called in to assist efforts on Sunday. Since then, more than 2,000 people have been flown out of the community, the majority boarded onto Hercules aircraft.
As of late Tuesday afternoon, the First Nation said Phase 1 of its evacuation had been completed.
"Flights have been paused," the community said in an official update. "Chief and council will assess over the next few days on further steps. Sandy Lake is NOT under a Phase 2 full evacuation."
Evacuees are being sent from Thunder Bay to one of three host communities: Kapuskasing, Cornwall or Mississauga.
Red Lake 12 "has destroyed at least seven cabins at different camps and a former fishing lodge owned and operated by Sandy Lake as a healing and land-based camp for youth," the First Nation posted on Facebook on Tuesday night.
Fewer than 200 people remain in Sandy Lake, where they are taking care of people's pets as well as the community's critical infrastructure and services, band councillor Cynthia Fiddler told CBC's Superior Morning.
(Neal Gillespie/Facebook via CBC)
Fiddler oversees the community's health portfolio and has been busy co-ordinating with people hosting evacuees to ensure everyone has access to prescriptions and other medical assistance, she said.
"I'm needed here," Fiddler said. "With all our people out there, there's still lots of calls coming back."
Elsewhere in the region, evacuations are continuing for other First Nations:
Deer Lake First Nation evacuees are staying in Toronto due to Red Lake 12.
Webequie First Nation evacuees are in Barrie due to the Nipigon 5 wildfire.
North Spirit Lake First Nation and Keewaywin First Nations have called for community evacuations; CBC News is awaiting more information about where community members will be sent.
Members of Wabaseemoong Independent Nations were staying in Niagara Falls from mid-May to early June due to wildfire Kenora 20, but were cleared to return home on Friday.
'Sandy Lake is so good in a crisis'
Sandy Lake is a remote Oji-Cree community in Treaty 5 territory, about 600 kilometres northwest of Thunder Bay.
In Tuesday night's update, the First Nation provided clarity about a situation where construction workers were trapped at the Valard Camp and hid in a shipping container to evade the flames.
"Workers were preparing to protect the camp by clearing trees, but the fire just came too quick. Helicopters tried but couldn't reach them because of thick smoke," the First Nation said.
"Sandy Lake leadership kept in contact. Deputy Chief Marcel Linklater and Coun. Russel Kakepetum drove to the camp and guided them back to the community. The crews were one of the first to be airlifted out of Sandy Lake to safety on a private charter. Sandy Lake is very thankful they are safe and back with their families."
At the evacuation hub at Thunder Bay's airport, the First Nation's band rep team has been co-ordinating flights and distributing essential supplies. Despite the uncertainty of when evacuees will return home, Fiddler said the community has always been resilient, no matter the circumstances.
"Sandy Lake is so good in a crisis," she said. "When something happens in our community, people are so willing to come together and work for Sandy Lake. They make sure everybody is taken care of.
"It has gotten a little chaotic, but we come together fast, and I'm just so grateful to be from Sandy Lake for that."
Community leadership in Sandy Lake First Nation is seen discussing Red Lake 12 on Monday. The wildfire has destroyed at least seven cabins at different camps, as well as a former fishing lodge owned and operated by Sandy Lake as a healing and land-based camp for youth. (Sandy Lake FN Communications/Facebook)
With cooler weather masking the view of the flames over the last couple days, Fiddler said "it just feels like a normal day." However, temperatures are expected to rise on Friday.
Sprinkler systems have been set up in the community to protect homes closest to the fire.
"FireRanger crews are making excellent progress setting up a consolidated perimeter line on the west side of the community of Sandy Lake and will be assisted by heavy machinery to create a fire break," Ontario Forest Fires said in its latest update Tuesday night.
"Aerial suppression continues, with helicopters and buckets supporting FireRanger crews on the ground digging in to establish hoseline, pump and sprinkler perimeters."
Air quality statements lifted — for now
A special air quality statement first issued for Sandy Lake on May 27 was lifted as of Wednesday. Statements have also been lifted for the Fort Hope, Webequie, Weagamow Lake, Deer Lake and Pikangikum areas.
Restricted fire zones in northwestern Ontario. (OpenStreetMap contributors/CBC News)
They had been jointly issued by the Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks, as well as Environment and Climate Change Canada.
Despite recent rainfall, much of northwestern Ontario remains under a restricted fire zone, which means no open-air burning is allowed.
Dr. Peter Lin, a family physician and a medical columnist for CBC, explained how wildfires create a lot of chemicals and tiny particles that affect people's eyes, skin and lining of their breathing tubes.
"These [particles] are very tiny, so they can get deep into your lungs," Lin said.
While in the short term people may experience eye, nose and throat irritation, headaches or a mild cough due to wildfire smoke, long-term exposure can also increase people's risk of lung cancer, he said.
"Check the air quality index. It's easy, right? 10 is bad, one is good. It's all colour-coded," Lin said. "If it's a bad day, then avoid going out. If you have to go out, then use an N95 mask to cut down on the particles that you're breathing in."
He also urges people to keep their doors and windows closed during smoky days, and wear sunglasses and long-sleeved shirts to protect their skin.
"If you can afford a HEPA filter, that could clean up some of the air inside your house as well," he said.
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Thumbnail courtesy of Nicholas Zahari/Department of National Defence.
The story was originally written by Sarah Law and published for CBC News. With files from Mary-Jean Cormier.