Doug Ford visits Thunder Bay as northern Ontario fires force evacuations

Premier Doug Ford is meeting with evacuees and first responders in Thunder Bay, where many people fleeing from the northern Ontario wildfires have gone.

Speaking with reporters on Saturday, Ford said he was informed some 300 people, including campers, were recently evacuated from the wildfires zones.

“So 40 missions to rescue 300 people. And these are individual campers and so on and so forth. These aren’t communities,” he said.

“I want to thank the OPP for doing an incredible job. They’re absolute champions. I want to thank the local Thunder Bay police as well firefighters and and obviously the paramedics are always there as well.”

Several Ontario communities — including Armstrong, Whitesand First Nation, Collins First Nation and Gakijiwanong Anishinaabe Nation (Lac La Croix First Nation) — are under evacuation order as fire rips through.

Other communities are preparing for possible evacuations.

The premier said he was informed there are 191 active wildfires in the province, which is seven more than the previous day. Of those fires, 73 are considered out of control and 91 are being observed.

“Our focus continues to be sending resources to the areas where fire suppression is most likely to be successful and where they can make the biggest impact keeping people and communities safe,” Ford said, noting that the fire efforts include 155 crew members as well as 80 water bombers and helicopters.

The premier added that evacuees should stay away from the areas they left so as to not hamper fire suppression efforts.

“Do not, I repeat, do not go to your campsites. Do not go back to your homes if they’re saying not to go back,” he said. “Don’t go back. We will find you a place, a hotel room, get you food. We’ll make sure you’re well taken care of.”