July 22: More than 900 wildfires burning across Canada have forced thousands of people to flee, with Indigenous First Nations communities among the hardest hit as fast moving fires destroy homes and critical infrastructure.
According to reports 903 wildfires were active across the country as of July 17, including 750 classified as out of control, while 43 new fires had ignited within the previous 24 hours.
The Namaygoosisagagun (Collins) First Nation in northern Ontario suffered extensive devastation after a rapidly advancing wildfire swept through the community in less than an hour. Residents reportedly had only minutes to evacuate, with many escaping by boat as flames engulfed homes and community buildings.
Anishinabek Nation Grand Council Chief Linda Debassige said all community members had been accounted for, pending a full assessment of the destruction. She described the wildfire as an unexpected disaster that caused widespread damage across the community.
Ontario has emerged as the worst affected province, with 193 active wildfires and at least seven First Nations under evacuation orders. Communities including Whitesand First Nation, Kiashke Zaaging Anishinaabek and Animbiigoo Zaagi’igan Anishinaabek have also been forced to evacuate, alongside several non-Indigenous communities.
Leaders of Namaygoosisagagun said residents received little advance warning and lacked official evacuation support, forcing community members to conduct door-to-door alerts before fleeing.
The crisis has also highlighted governance challenges, as Namaygoosisagagun is not formally recognised as a First Nation by the federal government despite its residents being recognised under Canada’s Indian Act. Community representatives have urged Indigenous Services Canada to provide emergency relief, recovery assistance and reconstruction support, warning that without such aid the community may struggle to rebuild.
Ontario First Nations leaders have criticised bureaucratic delays and jurisdictional disputes that they say have slowed emergency response efforts. They called for faster coordination among governments, stressing that administrative obstacles should not delay life saving evacuations.
The Assembly of First Nations has passed emergency resolutions calling on the federal government to provide immediate and sustained assistance to affected Indigenous communities as wildfire conditions continue across the country.
Authorities and Indigenous leaders have urged continued support for displaced families as emergency response and recovery operations remain underway.