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ONTARIO: Sudbury and other Northeastern Ontario communities accepting forest fire evacuees

Pikangikum residents arrived in Sudbury and Timmins in the past 24 hours

Sudbury is one of two Northeastern Ontario communities currently helping to provide temporary shelter to residents of Pikangikum First Nation (PFN) who have been evacuated because of the threat of forest fires.  

Timmins has also accepted evacuees from PFN. Ontario's Ministry of Northern Development, Mines, Natural Resources and Forestry said roughly 590 PFN residents were airlifted out of their community in the past 24 hours. 

Other Northern towns are helping by accepting evacuees from Deer Lake First Nation and Poplar Hill First Nation.

Ontario natural resources officials and Emergency Management Ontario said the evacuations are a precautionary measure mainly because of the exposure of heavy smoke from fires across Northwestern Ontario, a key concern for children and elderly citizens. 

Ontario issued an emergency order Wednesday in view of the growing fire threat in Northwestern Ontario, which allows the province to implement special measures to ensure the safety of people and the protection of property.

Greater Sudbury Mayor Brian Bigger issued a statement welcoming roughly 500 residents who have arrived in the past 24 hours.

"I want to welcome these individuals to our community. I know this must be an incredibly difficult time for you, and I hope you find comfort knowing you are safe here and in good hands," said the mayor's statement. 

The evacuation, including logistics and costs for the duration of the stay in Greater Sudbury, is being managed by Emergency Management Ontario, with support from Canadian Red Cross, Community Disaster Response Ontario and Public Health Sudbury & Districts, said the news release. 

The city also said that COVID-19 measures are in place with quarantine protocols and vaccines available, as needed. 

I would like to thank these organizations for their incredible hard work and compassion in organizing this evacuation," said the mayor.

In a social media posting, Laurentian University said roughly 400 of the PFN residents are being housed at LU residences.

“We are happy we could support this effort,” said the posting.