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The City of Sault Ste. Marie will be hosting people being evacuated from an isolated community in northwestern Ontario as fire and heavy smoke from wildfires threaten their health and homes.
The full text of a release from the city on this follows.
Following the threat of forest fires in their northwestern Ontario community, approximately 100 evacuees from North Spirit Lake First Nation are being hosted by the City of Sault Ste. Marie.
“I want to welcome everyone from North Spirit Lake First Nation to our community. This is an incredibly difficult time for them, and I know the City’s Emergency Management Division - along with local partners - are working hard to ensure we are prepared to facilitate a safe and comfortable experience. Sault Ste. Marie is a caring community and we’ve demonstrated our collective capacity to act with the best interests of others in mind and I know this kindness will be extended to the residents of North Spirit Lake First Nation,” said Mayor Provenzano.
The costs associated with the evacuation are being provided by Indigenous Services Canada. The logistics for the duration of the stay in Sault Ste. Marie is being managed by the City of Sault Ste. Marie’s Emergency Management division with support from Canadian Red Cross and community, provincial and federal government partners.
“I would like to thank these organizations for their incredible hard work and compassion in organizing this evacuation,” said Malcolm White, CAO, City of Sault Ste. Marie. “This is a very traumatic time for members of the North Spirit Lake community and we have taken the necessary precautions and preparations to provide support and safe accommodations. Making them feel comfortable and welcome during this time is a priority for the City and the Emergency Management partners.”
Members of the City’s Emergency Management Division will continue to meet with appropriate officials over the duration of the evacuees' stay in Sault Ste. Marie to ensure a safe stay and comfortable stay.