Leaders of First Nations communities in Ontario say they received no emergency alerts before wildfires destroyed two communities, forcing members to self-evacuate without government help.
Live updates
Loading updates…
Key facts
- Two First Nations communities in Ontario have been burned to the ground by fast-moving wildfires.
- Chiefs say members received no emergency alerts and were left to self-evacuate.
- Thirteen communities in Ontario have been ordered to evacuate, most of them First Nations.
- Ontario Premier Doug Ford said close to 2,000 people had been evacuated so far.
- Evacuees have been moved to cities including Toronto and Niagara Falls.
Fast-moving wildfires have burned two First Nations communities in Canada to the ground, with members saying they were left to self-evacuate without government help or emergency alerts, according to the Guardian.
Chiefs in Ontario said they were told there was no imminent threat before homes burned to the ground. The leaders say the lack of warning left residents to organise their own escapes as the fires advanced.
Thirteen communities in Ontario province have been ordered to evacuate because of the wildfires, most of them First Nations, the Guardian reported.
The Ontario premier, Doug Ford, told reporters on Monday that close to 2,000 people had been evacuated so far. Evacuees have been taken to cities including Toronto and Niagara Falls.
The accounts from community leaders raise questions about how emergency alerts and evacuation support were coordinated as the fires spread rapidly across the province.
Why it matters
The claims that communities received no warning before losing their homes point to potential gaps in Canada's emergency response systems for remote and First Nations communities. As wildfires grow more frequent and intense, how governments alert and protect vulnerable populations has become a pressing question.
Frequently asked questions
How many people have been evacuated?
Ontario Premier Doug Ford said close to 2,000 people had been evacuated so far, according to the Guardian.
How many communities are affected?
Thirteen communities in Ontario have been ordered to evacuate, most of them First Nations, and two First Nations communities have been burned to the ground.
Where have evacuees been taken?
Evacuees have been moved to cities including Toronto and Niagara Falls, according to the Guardian.
Timeline
- We received no alert, say leaders of First Nations communities razed by Canadian wildfires
The Guardian World: Chiefs in Ontario say they were left to self-evacuate before homes burned to ground, after being told there was no imminent threat Fast-moving wildfires have burned two First Nations communities in Canada to the ground, as members said they were left to self-evacuate without gove