RED LAKE, Ont. — Residents of a remote community in northwestern Ontario continued to flee Red Lake on Wednesday as a nearby wildfire raged on, out of control.
A spokesman for the provincial Ministry of the Solicitor General said aircraft were available to help with evacuations, and about 200 more people were expected to leave the town of approximately 4,000 today.
Greg Flood said the government's "top priority remains the health and safety of residents in northern communities impacted by wildfires."
Provincial police urged residents to actually leave Red Lake — and not return — rather than staying to protect their property.
OPP said leaving the area would help first responders' "unending efforts" to bring the blaze under control.
Police say the cause of the fire is under investigation, and foul play is not suspected at this time.
The northern cities of Timmins and Thunder Bay are accepting evacuees from Red Lake and the nearby Eabametoong First Nation.
A spokeswoman for the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry said the fire is 750 hectares in size and receiving aerial fire suppression.
Jolanta Kowalski said the blaze is burning approximately three kilometres south of the Red Lake townsite and three kilometres west of a major highway in the area.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 12, 2020.
The Canadian Press
