The Minister of Northern Development and Mines says the evacuation of the entire Municipality of Red Lake has been a coordinated effort.
Greg Rickford says the province has been working well with surrounding communities to ensure everyone gets out safely.
The Kenora-Rainy River MPP says it’s a dangerous situation right now.
“The speed at which this is happened and the changing circumstances has prompted us all as leaders and I’ve been working the phones with a number of Mayors to mobilize quickly.”
Rickford says Ear Falls, Dryden, Thunder Bay and other communities have stepped up to welcome displaced residents.
Area businesses are being asked to open their doors to help those in need.
Rickford believes there are about 1,500 people in a community of roughly 4,100 still in the Red Lake area.
He notes long-term care residents from Red Lake have moved into Pinecrest in Kenora.
Highway 105 North is closed and officials believe it’s only a matter of time until the entire road is shutdown.
Rickford says the Provincial Emergency Operations Centre is working diligently with Red Lake and other communities to ensure everyone gets out safely and has a place to stay.
“The community is under siege and as it stands right now we anticipate the very real possibility of the fire impacting critical infrastructure.”
Flights out of Red Lake will commence Tuesday afternoon.
Red Lake Fire #49 is now listed at 550 hectares in size and is burning about five kilometres south of the community.
Rickford notes this situation is similar to the massive 1980 evacuation of Red Lake due to a threatening forest fire.
