More than 100 fires are currently burning across the Northwest region with more expected throughout the week, the Minister of Natural Resources says.
About 20 new fires have started in the Northwest bringing the total of fires to 112 as of Wednesday. More than 300,000 hectares of forest have gone up in flames with fires moving closer to many First Nation communities every day.
Linda Jeffrey, minister of Natural Resources, said some fires were as close as a few kilometres away to some communities. While the number fires have remained the same as last year, close to 500 fires to date, the magnitude and intensity had made this year a different situation.
The MNR declared emergency orders in the Sioux Lookout area, which meant a restriction on travel in the area. Keewaywin First Nation has opted for a complete vacation.
"Our first priority is protecting people and human life but the situation is changing by the hour," Jeffrey said in a teleconference with media. "A number of communities are in stage one evacuation. About 2,000 people have been evacuated to communities across the Northwest including Greenstone, Sioux Lookout.
"Emergency Measures Ontario will continue to work with other potential host communities to identify additional resources and accommodated those who have been evacuated at this very difficult time."
She said smoke will continue to be a problem for most communities and firefighters and expected 20 more fires in the region by Thursday.
Thunder Bay continued to act as a transportation hub for the many evacuees from across the north. More than 1,000 evacuees are scheduled to come through Thunder Bay throughout the day.
Evacuees from Sandy Lake who came to Thunder Bay will head to Moosonee while residents from Kingfisher Lake will be moved to Ottawa.
The Northwest region continues to have fire restrictions in the area.
