# @indigenous.tv on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/Da0sR0mD9Kv
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/68081102-indigenoustv-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/postThumbnails/dff00117f4.jpg
- **Posted:** 2026-07-15T18:18:22.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** INDIGENOUSTV (@indigenous.tv) — https://gondola.cc/indigenous.tv

## Caption

As of Wednesday morning, 148 wildfires were active across northwestern Ontario, including 69 that were not under control.

Several fires have grown rapidly or merged into larger complexes amid recent lightning, extreme heat, dry conditions and strong winds, forcing First Nations to evacuate as flames threaten homes, transportation routes and essential services.

Several communities are under mandatory evacuation orders, including Namaygoosisagagun First Nation, where residents fled by personal boats after fire crossed the railway tracks and entered the community.

“We literally had minutes to get on the boats and flee,” one resident told APTN News.

Chief Helen Paavola said trees directly beside homes were burning as community members escaped. The Nation was awaiting an aerial assessment to confirm the full extent of the damage.

Evacuation orders have also affected Whitesand First Nation, Lac des Mille Lacs First Nation, Gakijiwanong Anishinaabe Nation and Kiashke Zaaging Anishinaabek, alongside nearby communities. The OPP warns that wildfire size and direction can change rapidly with changing weather conditions.

Kiiwetinoong MPP Sol Mamakwa described the reported destruction at Namaygoosisagagun as devastating.

“An entire First Nation community has been erased because of this disaster,” he said.

The emergency is also straining evacuation capacity. Kiashke Zaaging Anishinaabek said accommodations in Thunder Bay had reached capacity, requiring some members to continue south to Toronto.

More than 800 wildfires are active across Canada, while smoke from northern Ontario has travelled across the Great Lakes and into the United States.

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Follow the official pages of affected First Nations for verified evacuation updates, community needs and Nation-led relief efforts.

Sources: APTN News, reporting by Mike McDonald; OPP North West Region; Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources; statements from affected First Nations; solmamakwa; ffmsee;

#Land | #Ontario

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land, ontario

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