Ottawa Deploys Armed Forces Support to Aid Northern Ontario Wildfire Evacuations
Canada deploys military to aid urgent wildfire evacuations in northwestern Ontario amid rapidly spreading blazes threatening isolated communities.
Prime Minister Mark Carney announced today that the federal government is deploying members of the Canadian Armed Forces to assist with emergency evacuations in northwestern Ontario, as wildfires continue to spread rapidly and threaten isolated communities. The military operation comes in response to an urgent request for assistance from the Ontario government, which is coordinating a large-scale evacuation effort focused on Sandy Lake First Nation.
The situation has grown increasingly dire in recent days, with the Red Lake 12 wildfire—located near Deer Lake First Nation—described as out of control and now spanning over 1,500 square kilometres. As of Saturday night, authorities reported the blaze was advancing dangerously close to Sandy Lake First Nation, prompting immediate action from all levels of government. “Ottawa is prepared to mobilize every resource at its disposal to protect Canadians,” Prime Minister Carney emphasized during a media briefing, underlining the seriousness of the threat.
Emergency personnel have begun a phase one airlift evacuation of Sandy Lake residents, focusing on those deemed most vulnerable. In addition to aircraft, boats are being readied to supplement evacuation efforts if necessary, ensuring all community members can reach safety even as conditions worsen. Provincial officials affirmed that the logistics of such an operation are complex, given the region’s remote nature and limited access routes.
Meanwhile, Deer Lake First Nation, already fully evacuated due to earlier wildfire threats, remains under the vigilant watch of fire rangers who are working around the clock to defend the community’s infrastructure and monitor fire movement. Local leaders expressed gratitude for the swift deployment of resources but cautioned that the coming days will be critical as weather conditions remain volatile and the risk of further fire spread persists.
The coordinated response between federal, provincial, and Indigenous leadership highlights the scale of the crisis—and the unwavering commitment to ensure the safety and well-being of all affected residents. As the firefighting and evacuation efforts intensify, communities across northwestern Ontario are bracing for a challenging period ahead, hopeful that combined government support will mitigate further loss.
