Ontario’s Ministry of Natural Resources is listing 173 wildfires as active this morning in Ontario’s north, including 12 that had been sparked in the last 24 hours.
Early estimates suggest the flames have ravaged more of the province’s forests this season than any previous year on record, burning through more than 7,250 square kilometres so far.
Most of the fires in the province have burned in the last 10 days, and forced more than 1,800 people from their homes. Twelve of the 13 evacuated communities are First Nations.
On Tuesday, First Nations leaders called for a public inquiry into Ontario’s wildfire response, accusing the province of leaving communities to fend for themselves without timely support for evacuations.
Premier Doug Ford said Tuesday his government did “everything we possibly can” to respond to the wildfires. Some of the fires spread so fast they were only spotted once they were dangerously close to First Nations, the government has said.
Asked if he agreed with First Nations leaders who said the province should have done more to prepare, Ford said, “I totally disagree.”
The premier said the province has had “constant communication” with First Nations communities, helping them evacuate and find shelter in hotels.
According to a statement from the office of the Minister of Natural Resources, “Any community can request assistance from the province to evacuate. In circumstances where the fire is moving too quickly, communities may make the choice to self-evacuated.”
“Once evacuated, our government, in collaboration with Indigenous Services Canada, ensures communities have wrap around support available including accommodation, food and health services. We are in constant contact with First Nations communities and have taken action to improve coordination this fire season, including requesting assistance from the Federal government, to speed up evacuations and supports,” the statement reads.
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