A provincial official says the Ministry of Natural Resources is doing everything it can to protect people and infrastructure in a remote and unrecognized First Nation community north of Armstrong.
Whitewater Lake First Nation chief Arlene Slipperjack said Thursday that the province had neglected her community, which had to evacuate to Thunder Bay at its own expense and leave residents behind to battle a fire threatening community property.
But provincial information officer Art Osborne said while he’s not aware of when Slipperjack called the MNR and what was said, community members were taken on a reconnaissance flight of the fire Thursday and were shown that the community was not in danger.
"They seemed reassured that they were not in any danger," Osborne said Friday from the Sault Ste. Marie fire prevention headquarters.
On top of four water bombers fighting the fire for four hours Thursday, the MNR also put sprinkler systems on all of the community’s buildings, of which there are more than a dozen.
"Reports indicate that the fire has not spread toward the structures," Osborne said.
Although Slipperjack said that equipment was faulty and the community had to purchase new pumps at its own expense, Osborne said that’s the first he’s heard of MNR equipment not working.
Because of the busy fire season, the MNR has had extensive experience this year equipping buildings with systems across Northwestern Ontario and there have been no reported problems.
"If there was any equipment problem I’m certain that it would’ve been taken care of," Osborne said.
The fire has been monitored since July 31 and has been aggressively attacked since then.
"First and foremost at any and all times the safety of the public is our paramount concern and the protection and preservation of values. That’s absolutely job one," Osborne said.
Slipperjack said Friday that she is relieved and satisfied with the MNR's response.
