Public Statement #2: Full evacuation order lifted July 26, 2011
Public Statement #2: Full evacuation order lifted
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Today after discussions between Sandy Lake Chief and Council, Emergency Management Ontario (EMO) and Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) the decision was made to begin the process of repatriating the people of Sandy Lake to their home community as of Friday, July 29, 2011.
However, this does not include Phase 1 evacuees. Elders, children under the age of 1 and prenatals, and those with medical conditions are not yet cleared to return home at this time as smoke from surrounding fires still poses a risk.
Sandy Lake First Nation has a band membership of 2741.
A full evacuation was ordered due to thick smoke and the threat of Red Lake Fire #58 reaching the community. Phase 1 evacuation started Monday July 18th, 2011 with the full evacuation completed on Thursday July 21st, 2011.
MNR and EMO are coordinating travel arrangements home for all evacuees.
In addition, there are community members who have been identified by Chief and Council as providing essential services to the community and are required to return before the general public. The intent is to ensure all essential services are available and fully operational by Friday for those returning home.
Beginning Wednesday, July 27, 2011 those required for essential services including nurses, Northern Store staff, Canadian Rangers, Security, Water Treatment Plant, Public Works, Health staff Administration support staff and other resource people will begin to return home. 100 people from Arthur Ontario will be flown to Geraldton and transferred to another aircraft. It is anticipated that most will be flown into Sandy Lake either Wednesday night July 27th or early Thursday July 28th, 2011. If needed, they will be accommodated in Geraldton.
Please be aware that the essential staff and resource people have already been identified and notified of their early return. Requests from others to be included in this group cannot be considered.
Chief and Council are aware families have gone through the added stress of being separated during this difficult time and will be make efforts to ensure those returning will travel with family.
Friday, July 29, 2011: remaining evacuees in Arthur and Wawa will return home. Evacuees in Moosonee are to stand by.
Saturday, July 30, 2011: remaining evacuees in Moosonee will return home; evacuees in Geraldton, Longlac and Ginoogaming First Nation will start returning home. Please stand by on Friday.
Because plane capacity could decrease or increase, everyone must be on standby to leave earlier than scheduled.
All evacuees are advised that of a 40lb baggage limit. Any excess is not guaranteed to get on the plane as there will be total load weight restrictions. It is recommended that grocery shopping be done upon returning to Sandy Lake.
It is hoped MNR and EMO will have more details regarding the travel for the remaining evacuees in other locations by Thursday or Friday. Evacuees are advised to stay updated for current information on the Sandy Lake website at www.sandylake.firstnation.ca.
Sandy Lake First Nation has been told that the use of Canadian Military Hercules aircraft that can carry as many as 100 passengers is only available in emergency situations when lives are at risk. The return of community members to Sandy Lake is not considered an emergency situation with lives at risk.
With the use of commercial aircraft only carrying 37 passengers at a time, Sandy Lake First Nation estimates that it could take a minimum of 8 days for everyone to return home.
Chief Adam Fiddler continues to call upon the Ministry of Defence, the Federal Government and Prime Minister Stephen Harper to allow use of the military Hercules aircrafts to return the evacuees home. “Our people have been through enough turmoil and stress during this time and their return home should be as effortless as possible.” This assistance would reduce days from the estimated time to return residents so that they may restore their lives at home.
Sandy Lake First Nation says “Thank You” to the evacuation host communities of Sioux Lookout, Ignace, hunder Bay, Geraldton, Longlac, Ginoogaming First Nation, Marathon, Wawa, Moosonee, Arthur and Smith Falls, Ontario for opening your doors and providing a safe haven for us during this difficult time.
