Wildfires are continuing to spread across northwestern Ontario, and now the City of Barrie is preparing to receive hundreds of evacuees from Webequie First Nation.
The first flights are expected to still happen this Monday.
Approximately 400 residents, including elders, children, and those with medical conditions, are being prioritized in what officials are calling a Phase 1 evacuation.
The effort comes as the region grapples with 16 active wildfires in the Northwest, and three in the Northeast, according to Ontario’s Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR).
Fires have recently emerged near Thunder Bay, Nipigon, and Sudbury, prompting swift emergency response measures.
Eric MacFadden, Barrie’s deputy fire chief and alternate community engagement management coordinator, said that while the city isn’t directly coordinating the evacuation, it’s been looped into the plans led by the province and ISN Maskwa, an Indigenous-led emergency support organization.
“It’s still a very evolving situation,” MacFadden said.
“Flights will start later tonight and continue into tomorrow. Depending on how the situation evolves with the wildfires and the smoke, we may see more evacuees in the coming days,” he added.
MacFadden said that ISN Maskwa is taking the lead on logistics, with support from provincial ministries. “The city remains at arm’s length,” he said. “ISN is boots on the ground, getting a location ready to host evacuees here in Barrie.”
He said no direct requests have been made of Barrie Fire specifically, but community health partners are aware and prepared to offer support.
The Ontario government has also pledged its backing.
In a statement, a spokesperson for Jill Dunlop, Minister of Emergency Management and Response, said her team is “actively working with Indigenous leadership, federal and local partners to support evacuation efforts and with the delivery of essential services in northern Ontario.”
“All evacuees will receive comprehensive wraparound support, including health care, social services, and education support,” Dunlop’s spokesperson said in a statement.
The evacuation comes amid an early and intense start to wildfire season. Though many of the current fires are not yet threatening major settlements, wind and smoke conditions have prompted early action in remote communities, particularly those without road access like Webequie, which is located about 540 kilometres north of Thunder Bay.
MacFadden said that this is not the first time Barrie has been involved in such an effort.
“The province has a response plan in place for these situations,” he said. “There are procedures in place they can turn to when help is needed from southern communities.”
While the number of evacuees and duration of their stay remain uncertain, MacFadden said the city and its partners are ready.
“We’re happy to welcome them here and support however we can,” he said. “This is a moment to show solidarity with our northern neighbours.”
