Public Statement #1: Fire and Evacuation July 25, 2011

Public Statement #1:  Sandy Lake Fire and Evacuation

Monday, July 25, 2011

On Monday, July 18, 2011, thick smoke from surrounding forest fires forced the evacuation of 265 community members.  This included elders, infants, prenatals, and those with medical conditions.

By Tuesday, July 19, 2011, the increasing proximity of forest fire Red Lake #58 to the community posed a serious threat.  The Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) recommended to Chief and Council that a full evacuation be ordered.  With the hot, dry weather and high winds of up to 40 km/hr there was a real concern the fire would reach the community. 

By Thursday, July 21, 2011 approximately 1,725 community members had left on Hercules military planes.  Forest fire Red Lake #58 was 9 kilometres from the community and covered an area of 4,400 hectares.

The remaining several hundred community members from an approximate population of 2,700 people had left on their own or were already out of the community during the time of the evacuation.

1,500 evacuees are being accommodated in the host communities of Sioux Lookout, Ignace, Thunder Bay, Marathon, Greenstone (Geraldton), Longlac, Ginoogaming First Nation, Wawa, Moosonee, and Arthur. 

Many families have been separated in the midst of the evacuation and don’t know where their family members have ended up.  The Canadian Red Cross has set up a toll-free hotline at 1-866-356-3645 ext 236 to help locate families. 

It is unknown how long it will be before community members can return home. However, MNR will provide Chief and Council with three-days notice when they feel the fire is under control and it is safe for the people to come home.

To date, the fire remains 9 kilometres away from the Sandy Lake’s power generation station and is still a threat to the community as it is still an active fire, not yet under control.  MNR tells Sandy Lake that 60 firefighters are fighting this fire with more crews in the community on standby. Sprinkler systems have been set up to protect houses in the event the fire moves closer to the community.

Cool, damp weather and some light rain over the past few days have eliminated the flames and most of the smoke, but the fire is still smouldering underground.  There is a concern that if the weather becomes dry and hot, the fire could flare up again.

The following people have remained in the community:

Chief Adam Fiddler and Councillor Fabian Crowe

Joe C. Meekis and Leon Fiddler, Band Office

Bobby Kakegamic, Hydro Plant

Jackie Rae and Joseph Kakegamic Jr., Water Treatment Plant

Joan Rae, Greg Linklater, Darlene Kakegamic, John Loonfoot, Sandy Lake Health Authority

Carson Fiddler, Terrance Meekis, Glen Kakepetum, Canadian Rangers

Wally Kakepetum, Matt Black, Mac Shuylser, Nishnawbe-Aski Police Services

Nick Day, Sandy Lake Community Development Services

Mike Ranger and Mel Wren, Northern Stores

Helen Novak, Daniel Kakegamic and Mark Anishinabie, MNR Cooks

Clarence Meekis, Alvin Meekis, Glen Fiddler, Andy Day, Lenny Keno, Randy Linklater, Rugged Kakegamic and Ivan Rae, MNR.

Chief and Council would like to say a big thank you to the host communities for accommodating the people of Sandy Lake during this time. 

Updates on the fire and evacuation situation will continue to be available on-line at www.sandylake.firstnation.ca.