During a press conference in Thunder Bay on Saturday, Ontario Premier Doug Ford expressed his frustration towards U. S. politicians who have criticized Canada’s efforts to tackle wildfires, stating that many in the current government seem to have “a very short memory.”
“I think it’s a shame that the administration in the U. S. and Congress people [are] writing these letters and blaming us,” Ford said. “We had the water bombers and everyone going over to California. It was last year.. That’s what neighbours do.”
As of Saturday afternoon, there are 191 active wildfires across northern Ontario, with 73 still not under control, according to the provincial Aviation, Forest Fire and Emergency Services (AFFES) agency.
The largest fire in the province, Thunder Bay 36, has consumed nearly 319,000 hectares as of Saturday afternoon. The premier noted that 155 fire crews and about 80 water bombers are currently deployed to combat fires in the area.
So far, over a dozen communities have been ordered to evacuate, including Namaygoosisagagun First Nation in northwestern Ontario. This community completely burned down earlier this week while residents had to evacuate on their own.
WATCH | Premier Doug Ford urges people to heed evacuation orders:
Ford warns people refusing to evacuate are hindering wildfire response
A new evacuation centre has opened in Thunder Bay for those displaced by northern Ontario wildfires. Premier Doug Ford cautioned that individuals ignoring evacuation orders are obstructing firefighting operations.
The quick spread of wildfires has also sparked criticism within Ontario from opposition members of the legislature and First Nations leaders who have called for more funding for wildfire prevention and suppression.
Namaygoosisagagun First Nation “burnt to the ground because of a failure of the province for their monitoring,” said Anishinabek Nation Grand Council Chief Linda Debassige. “And further to that, the emergency management arm of the province also ought to be held accountable for this disaster.”
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Members of Namaygoosisagagun First Nation are seen in Thunder Bay, Ont., following an evacuation of the entire community on Monday due to a wildfire. (Sarah Law/CBC)
Despite this teamwork though, Debassige pointed out perceived shortcomings by both levels of government regarding resources for Namaygoosisagagun First Nation.
“This community burned to ash,” Debassige noted. “When we reached out.. to MNR [Ontario’s Ministry of Natural Resources], we were told ‘we didn’t know there was a fire there.’
When reporters asked about provincial efforts against fires Mike Harris Jr., Ontario’s minister of natural resources said that the blaze began near the First Nation but spread faster than local teams could react.
“We did our best obviously trying survey what was happening but there was so much smoke making it almost impossible for our teams assess how close fire was,” Harris Jr said adding “the community decided self-evacuate.”
More evacuees arriving at Thunder Bay
Showers could occur throughout weekend which might help limit existing fires’ spread according Provincial Government’s outlook As reported Saturday air quality warnings remained orange across numerous parts Northwestern including Thunder Bay Cloud Bay White River Armstrong.
Restricted fire zone enacted much region prohibits open burning campfires.
