NAN Urges Governments to Commit more resources to Evacuations

Nishnawbe-Aski Nation Grand Chief Stan Beardy is asking the Provincial and Federal Governments to commit all available emergency resources to help First Nations threatened by forest fires.

Beardy wants Ottawa to ensure that enough aircraft are available to evacuate the communities at a moment's notice.

More than 115 forest fires are raging across Northwestern Ontario, and Beardy says thousands of residents are in immediate danger from the growing flames and dense smoke.

As many as 200 residents of Keewaywin First Nation were evacuated to Winnipeg on Monday evening after 197 residents were evacuated Sunday.

76-residents of Cat Lake First Nation have been evacuated to Dryden and 170 residents of North Spirit Lake First Nation have been evacuated to Greenstone.

About 750 residents of Sandy Lake First Nation have been evacuated to Thunder Bay, and 230 residents of Kingfisher Lake First Nation are on standby for evacuation.

A total of 46-hundred people have already been evacuated and more are expected in the coming days.

Beady is also asking the Province to declare a state of emergency so that all necessary resources can be directed to protect the health and safety of the residents of the effected communities.