With Red Lake 12 wildfire now held, over 2,000 Sandy Lake First Nation evacuees are returning home. Flights from host cities continue this week.
Sandy Lake Evacuees Begin Returning Home
Over 2,000 residents from Sandy Lake First Nation have begun returning home after weeks of displacement due to Red Lake 12 — the largest wildfire in northwestern Ontario this season.
Evacuation efforts began in late May when the fire rapidly spread across the region, prompting emergency airlifts from several remote First Nations. The wildfire, located more than 600 kilometres northwest of Thunder Bay, has since grown to over 195,000 hectares.
Repatriation Flights Scheduled Through Thursday
Flights back to Sandy Lake resumed Friday and are scheduled to continue through at least Thursday. According to Sandy Lake First Nation officials, more than 500 evacuees who had been housed in Niagara Falls have already returned.
Those temporarily relocated to Beaver Lake, Kapuskasing, and Mississauga are next in line, with staggered flights transporting evacuees through Thunder Bay before reaching Sandy Lake by Dash 8 aircraft. Additional flights from Barrie, Peterborough, and Thunder Bay are expected in the coming days.
Logistics Complicated by Weather and Emergencies
The First Nation has urged patience from returning residents, noting that weather conditions and technical delays may impact scheduling. “Things will change, and change again,” the community said in a Facebook update on Monday.
Evacuees in private accommodations in cities such as Thunder Bay, Winnipeg, Dryden, and Sioux Lookout are expected to return later once the majority of residents from formal evacuation centres are home.
Deer Lake Residents Also Begin Journey Home
In addition to Sandy Lake, more than 800 evacuees from Deer Lake First Nation began returning from Toronto in late June. Deer Lake was also evacuated due to the Red Lake 12 wildfire threat.
Emergency officials coordinated ground and air transportation to ensure a safe and phased return for both communities.
Firefighting Efforts Continue Around Red Lake 12
While Red Lake 12 is now considered “being held,” firefighting crews remain active on the ground. Ontario Forest Fires reports that 18 crews are assigned to the fire’s southern and eastern boundaries, supported by seven helicopters conducting bucket drops.
Crews continue to patrol for hotspots, remove excess equipment, and demobilize in areas where the threat has subsided, including Deer Lake and Sandy Lake.
Lightning Sparks New Fires in the Far North
Despite progress on Red Lake 12, wildfire risks remain elevated. As of Monday, 42 fires were active across northwestern Ontario, many caused by recent lightning activity.
Fire danger is rated high to extreme in areas such as Red Lake and parts of the far north that have received limited rainfall. Residents are reminded that outdoor burning restrictions remain in effect until October 31.
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