After two weeks in Barrie due to wildfire danger, over 400 Webequie First Nation evacuees are heading home as conditions improve in northwestern Ontario.
Flights Begin as Webequie Evacuees Repatriated
Hundreds of evacuees from Webequie First Nation in northwestern Ontario are flying home this week after being displaced by a major wildfire. The community declared a state of emergency on May 29 due to Nipigon 5, a fast-spreading wildfire that forced the evacuation of over 400 vulnerable residents.
Community Relocated to Southern Ontario
The evacuees were relocated to Barrie, Ontario — nearly 1,400 km south of Webequie — where they stayed in hotels for two weeks. Barrie is located just over an hour north of Toronto. The community, largely Ojibway, faced significant disruption but received support services throughout their stay.
Improved Conditions Prompt Return
Webequie Chief Cornelius Wabasse confirmed Monday that 200 community members were flown back, with another 200 expected to return by Tuesday. Fire activity has since decreased, and air quality around the community has improved significantly.
“The fire has moved away from the community and crews are actively managing the situation,” said Chief Wabasse.
Return Timed for Cultural Celebration
The timing of the return means evacuees are likely to be home for National Indigenous Peoples Day on Saturday. Festivities in Webequie are set to include drumming, singing, a community cookout, and cultural events. “People are very happy to go back to their community,” Wabasse shared.
Other First Nations Still Displaced
While Webequie’s situation is stabilizing, other northern Ontario communities remain under threat. Red Lake 12 — the region’s largest wildfire at 177,000 hectares — has forced over 2,000 Sandy Lake First Nation members to evacuate. They’re now residing in various southern Ontario communities with Canadian Armed Forces assistance.
Keewaywin and North Spirit Lake First Nations have also initiated evacuations. Meanwhile, nearly 800 Deer Lake First Nation members have been living in Toronto for more than two weeks.
Managing Crisis With Community Cohesion
Deer Lake’s Chief Leonard Mamakeesic emphasized the importance of keeping evacuees together. “I pretty much moved my whole community here, all the resources and all the departments,” he stated. Medical support, food services, and donations have been coordinated by ISN Maskwa with assistance from Indigenous Services Canada.
Deer Lake’s leadership is scheduled to meet with Ontario’s Ministry of Natural Resources on Wednesday to determine next steps for their community.
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