The billowing smoke was the first signal that life was about to change for the 1,800 residents of Wabaseemoong First Nation. What began as a distant threat evolved into a full-scale emergency as wildfires closed in on the community, located about 100 kilometers northwest of Kenora in northwestern Ontario.
“We’ve never seen anything move this fast,” said Chief Waylon Scott, his voice carrying the weight of the decision to evacuate his entire community. “When the winds shifted Wednesday night, we knew we couldn’t wait any longer.”
The evacuation order came Thursday morning after provincial fire crews determined the blaze, designated KEN042, had grown to more than 700 hectares and was advancing rapidly toward the First Nation. Community members grabbed whatever essentials they could carry – medications, important documents, family photos – before boarding buses headed for safety.
By Friday afternoon, nearly all residents had been relocated to emergency shelters in Dryden, Thunder Bay, and Winnipeg. The Canadian Red Cross has established temporary accommodations in hotel rooms for elders and families with young children, while community centers house others.
“We’re doing our best to keep family units together,” explained Jamie Mcdonald, emergency response coordinator with Indigenous Services Canada. “These aren’t just evacuees – they’re entire households being uprooted with very little notice.”
For Edward Paypompee, a 67-year-old elder, the evacuation brought back painful memories. “This is the third time I’ve had to leave my home because of fire or flooding,” he said while settling into a cot at Thunder Bay’s community center. “But our people have always been resilient. We stick together.”
The wildfire threatening Wabaseemoong is one of 27 active fires currently burning across northwestern Ontario, according to the province’s forest fire information system. Seven are classified as “not under control” – a worrying statistic as the region faces abnormally dry conditions.
Aviation and Forest Fire Emergency Services spokesperson Shayne McCool noted that spring fire conditions have been intensifying across the north. “We’re seeing relative humidity levels drop to concerning levels, combined with stronger than normal winds. This creates challenging circumstances for our crews on the ground.”
Climate scientists from the University of Waterloo’s Interdisciplinary Centre on Climate Change have been monitoring the increasing frequency of spring wildfires in the region. Their data suggests a troubling trend: fire seasons are starting earlier and lasting longer than historical averages.
“What we’re witnessing in northwestern Ontario reflects broader patterns across the boreal forest,” explained Dr. Melissa Porter, who studies climate impacts on Indigenous communities. “These aren’t isolated incidents anymore but symptoms of a changing climate reality that disproportionately affects remote First Nations.”
For Wabaseemoong leadership, the immediate focus remains on community safety and well-being during displacement. Chief Scott has been coordinating with provincial and federal agencies to ensure needs are met while firefighting efforts continue.
“Our priority is making sure everyone has shelter, food, and access to health services,” the Chief emphasized during a community meeting at a Dryden hotel conference room. “We’re also working to address the emotional toll this takes, especially on our children and elders.”
Ontario Premier Doug Ford pledged provincial support during a press conference in Toronto. “We’re deploying all available resources to combat these fires and support evacuated communities,” Ford stated. “The safety of these residents is our top priority.”
Meanwhile, community members are finding ways to maintain connections despite being scattered across three cities. Volunteers have established phone trees and social media groups to share updates and coordinate support. Traditional healing circles have been organized in each evacuation center, offering spiritual comfort during the crisis.
Wabaseemoong’s experience highlights the complex challenges facing remote First Nations during natural disasters. Limited road access meant evacuation options were restricted, and the community’s distance from urban centers complicated emergency planning.
Indigenous Services Minister Patty Hajdu acknowledged these challenges in a statement: “We recognize the unique vulnerabilities remote communities face and are working to improve emergency response systems that respect Indigenous leadership and knowledge.”
For now, firefighting crews continue battling the blaze that threatens Wabaseemoong’s homes, school, and community buildings. Water bombers and helicopters have been deployed alongside ground crews, but shifting winds and dry conditions have complicated containment efforts.
Back in the Thunder Bay evacuation center, young mother Jessica Keewatin watches her three children play with donated toys. “They’re asking when we can go home,” she says quietly. “I tell them soon, but honestly, I don’t know. This is our land, our home – we’ll return and rebuild if we have to. We always have.”
As Wabaseemoong’s evacuation enters its second day, the community’s story echoes across other First Nations facing similar threats from an increasingly volatile climate. Their experience serves as both warning and testimony – a glimpse into the real-world impacts of environmental change on Canada’s most vulnerable communities, and a testament to the resilience that carries them through.
