Federal Indigenous Services Minister Marc Miller says they are working with the provincial government to evacuate people in Red Lake and Fort Hope First Nation.
Miller says they have an Emergency Management Coordination group established to lead emergency relief efforts.
“Our team has touched base with local leadership to ensure that we are providing the supports and providing the proper evacuation protocols to ensure that people stay safe. It is a little more complex because of the fear of the coronavirus and the vulnerability of the local populations.”
Miller adds “As with the flood season. COVID-19 makes the potential evacuations much more complex. In respect to Red Lake and Eabametoong, there are a few hundred hectares that are on fire and at various levels of control.”
Fort Hope First Nation Chief Harvey Yesno says they’re concerned because the smoke and ash can interfere with emergency evacuation flights if the situation gets worse.
