Raging wildfires in northern Ontario force hundreds to relocate to London, Ont.
There are currently over 100 active fires burning in northwestern Ontario, forcing evacuees as far south as London until the threat recedes.
An emergency was declared in Wabaseemoong Independent Nations community earlier this month, forcing over 300 band members from their homes as smoke from the wildfires filled the air.
Hundreds of them have come to London as they wait out the fire threat, unsure about if and when they'll be able to head back home.
Helene Fischer says she's grateful they were able to leave.
"It was kind of getting scary because of the smoke, and the threat of the fire coming too close to the community," said Fischer.
Community Liaison Kevin Scott has been helping organize the temporary resettlement of the registered band members.
"The smoke was really bad, people say the smoke was bad here –-- but it's worse back home because we get the first of it," says Scott.
Xpera, a company that does contingency planning, has been working closely with the provincial government to help relocate the evacuees.
"We look after all the meals provided, we look after obviously some of the transportation to and from the airport, and we look after some of the recreational activity on site as well," said Robert Garland, director of Xpera.
One of the activities included a day at the Gibbons Park splash pad. That's where Deanna Henry and her children enjoyed a little relief from the heat, and tried to take their minds off of what is happening back home.
"Being disconnected from like my home -- that's pretty much what got me -- I didn’t want to leave," said Henry.
It is unclear when Henry and her family will be able to go back home, but for now they are making the best of the situation.
"Every band member is wanting to go home, but they do know the situation back home, so it's just a matter of time," said Scott.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Ontario couple among passengers on sinking tour boat in Dominican Republic
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their “extremely dangerous” experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
Half of Canadians have negative opinion of latest Liberal budget: poll
A new poll suggests the Liberals have not won over voters with their latest budget, though there is broad support for their plan to build millions of homes.
opinion Why you should protect your investments by naming a trusted contact person
Appointing a trusted person to help with financial obligations can give you peace of mind. In his personal finance column for CTVNews.ca, Christopher Liew outlines the key benefits of naming a confidant to take over your financial responsibilities, if the need ever arises.
Teacher shortages see some Ontario high school students awarded perfect grades on midterm exams
Students at a high school in York Region have been awarded perfect marks on their midterm exams in three subjects – not because of their academic performances however, but because they had no teacher.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
Ottawa injects another $36M into vaccine injury compensation fund
The federal government has added $36.4 million to a program designed to support people who have been seriously injured or killed by vaccines since the end of 2020.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
An Ontario senior thought he called Geek Squad for help with his printer. Instead, he got scammed out of $25,000
An Ontario senior’s attempt to get technical help online led him into a spoofing scam where he lost $25,000. Now, he’s sharing his story to warn others.
Her fiance has been in prison for 49 years. She's trying to free him before it’s too late
She was lying in bed on a Thursday morning, thinking about the man she loved, hoping to win his freedom before time ran out.