Northern Ontario First Nation evacuates as fire crews battle spreading wildfire

A northern Ontario First Nation is evacuating as provincial fire crews battle a spreading wildfire south of Timmins.

Mattagami First Nation Chief Jennifer Constant and council members issued a mandatory evacuation order Wednesday afternoon based on the advice of the Ministry of Natural Resources.

“The evacuation is necessary to protect community members from the escalating threat,” they said in a statement.

“The safety of our people remains our highest priority and proactive measures are required to reduce the risk to residents.”

Residents who have not yet left should head to the community complex so emergency crews can ensure their safe evacuation from the area before the forest fire jumps a nearby highway, officials said.

Ontario Forest Fires said the fire known as Timmins 9 is still out of control and had reached 1100 hectares in size as of Wednesday.

It said nine Ontario Fire Ranger crews, which specialize in wildland fires, have been assigned to the blaze.

The Ministry of Natural Resources has limited access to several roads in the area including parts of the Gogama Unit Road, the Upper Kasasaway Lake access road and the Kenetogami Lake Road.

Ontario Forest Fires said there are eight active wildland fires in the province’s northeast region, including fires near Timmins, Sudbury and North Bay.

Four of these fires are out of control, while three are being held and one is under control, it said.

By Maan Alhmidi