Northern Ontario Wildfires Destroy Namaygoosisagagun First Nation Community

Community Destroyed as Wildfires Sweep Northern Ontario

The entire community of Namaygoosisagagun First Nation, also known as Collins First Nation, has been destroyed by a fast-moving wildfire in northwestern Ontario. The community, located roughly 250 kilometres north of Thunder Bay, was evacuated on Monday as flames approached the area.

According to Miiyah Paavola, daughter of Chief Helen Paavola, the fire reached the community with alarming speed. Residents, including community members Scott Frank and Lyndon Paavola, went door-to-door to alert neighbors. Residents fled to the beach and escaped the encroaching flames by boat.

“The whole community burned down within less than an hour,” Chief Paavola said. While the community has 130 registered members, just over two dozen people were present when the evacuation occurred. Everyone escaped safely, and displaced residents are currently being housed in hotels in Thunder Bay.

Widespread Devastation and Evacuations

The wildfire impacting Namaygoosisagagun First Nation is part of a larger, uncontrollable blaze known as Thunder Bay 36, which has grown to over 350,922 hectares. As of July 15, there were 180 active forest fires across northern Ontario, with 136 of those located in the northwest.

Beyond Namaygoosisagagun, mandatory evacuation orders have been issued for several areas, including Armstrong, Whitesand First Nation, Gakijiwanong Anishinaabe Nation (Lac La Croix First Nation), and Lac des Mille Lacs First Nation. Additional evacuation alerts have been issued for parts of the Dryden, Fort Frances, and Atikokan districts.

The scale of the crisis has strained local resources; officials noted that Thunder Bay has run out of space to accommodate further evacuees. Multiple tourist lodges and trailers have been reported destroyed or damaged across the region.

Government Response and Infrastructure Concerns

Chief Paavola is calling on provincial and federal authorities to provide support to her people, noting that the community is still in the process of becoming officially recognized. On Thursday, the Ontario government issued a formal Request for Assistance to the federal government to expedite resources, including the potential deployment of the Canadian Armed Forces.

Minister of Emergency Preparedness and Response Jill Dunlop confirmed the request. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Mark Carney stated that the federal government is in close contact with Indigenous, provincial, and municipal partners.

Alvin Fiddler, Grand Chief of the Nishnawbe Aski Nation, which represents 49 First Nations, has expressed significant concern regarding the lack of infrastructure in the far north. Fiddler noted that this deficiency hinders both large-scale evacuation efforts and firefighting operations.

Regional Impacts: Smoke, Bans, and Safety

The impact of the fires extends far beyond the immediate burn zones. Smoke has traveled across the province, affecting air quality and visibility in Sault Ste. Marie, Sudbury, and Toronto. The haze has also reached the United States, particularly impacting New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Connecticut.

Due to the extreme fire hazard, a restricted fire zone is in effect for much of the north, prohibiting all open-air burning and suspending burning permits. Localized bans have also been implemented in municipalities including Kirkland Lake, Matheson, and Iroquois Falls. Quetico Provincial Park has closed the Dawson Trail Campground, with a reassessment of the situation scheduled for July 18.

Status of Major Active Fires

Fire Name	Size (hectares)	Status
Thunder Bay 36	350,922	Not under control
Fort Frances 14	55,106	Not under control
Fort Frances 15	48,216	Not under control

For those seeking to assist, the Northern Reach Network is currently requesting donations, volunteers, and temporary fosters to help care for pets displaced by the evacuations. Organizations are coordinating with rescue partners across the province to ensure animals are placed in safe homes.

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