PIKANGIKUM – Wildfire danger is impacting the northern Ontario of Pikangikum. The First Nation community is in the process of an evacuation with people being flown out to Thunder Bay and Winnipeg as well possibly to other communities.
MP Bob Nault has been working on the issue, as well as provincial MPPs Kenora Rainy River MPP Greg Rickford and Kiiwetinoong MPP Sol Mamakwa.
Late this afternoon Nault says, “Early this morning, our government received a request from the leadership of Pikangikum First Nation for the evacuation of vulnerable people within their community due to smoke and ash in the air. The request was for the Canadian Rangers to assist with the evacuation and the Canadian Armed Forces to provide air transportation for members from Pikangikum.”
Nault reports, “This assistance is underway, and although smoke and other location conditions are not helping with air operations, I am pleased to be able to report that the first CC-130H Hercules plane has landed and is now transporting those most vulnerable to various host communities. We are continuing to monitor the situation closely, and we will look at other communities where evacuees can be relocated should the need arise.”
“I have personally reached out to Chief Amanda Sainnawap to offer any required assistance. We will continue to work to evacuate residents to ensure their safety.”
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