EABAMETOONG FIRST NATION -- Leaders in Eabametoong First Nation have declared a forest fire and smoke emergency and plan to begin emergency evacuations of the community's most vulnerable people.
In a release issued on Tuesday night, chief and council said the main concern is smoke from forest fires that is affecting the safety of residents.
"Eabametoong First Nation, like all other remote communities across Ontario, continues to face the challenge of making decisions in order to protect the lives and health of our members," said Chief Harvey Yesno. "The main concern is environmental and health related to the air quality, however the same smoke and ash can also significantly impact any emergency evacuation flights if the situation becomes more dangerous or severe.
"We are now approaching 24 hours of waiting and the decision has been made that we require emergency assistance."
Chief and council will maintain the emergency response operations and the co-ordnation of the efforts as the situation progresses.
The community reached out to the Provincial Emergency Operations Centre, Indigenous Services Canada and Health Canada, telling them an emergency response is necessary.
Nipigon 51 is one of seven new fires confirmed on Tuesday in the Northwest Region. According to Aviation, Forest Fire and Emergency Services, says the first is located near Pichinamei Lake, about 63 kilometres northwest of Eabametoong First Nation. It's four hectares in size and described as being not under control.