WEBEQUIE FIRST NATION DECLARE STATE OF EMERGENCY DUE TO FIRE AND INITIATE PHASE 1 EVACUATION
MEDIA RELEASE
Friday May 30, 2025 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WEBEQUIE FIRST NATION DECLARE STATE OF EMERGENCY DUE TO FIRE AND INITIATE PHASE 1 EVACUATION
WEBEQUIE, ON: Today, Chief and Council of Webequie First Nation is advising the public of a state of emergency declaration that was made yesterday due to a fire located within a kilometre of the community. The fire was actioned by waterbombers and FireRanger crews were dispatched on the afternoon on May 28. It is still burning, causing damage to the land values around the community and is posing a threat to the most vulnerable.
A public notice was also issued yesterday confirming the initiation of Phase 1 evacuation for elders, children, prenatal, chronically ill and mobility-repaired individuals. 400 individuals are expected to be transported to Barrie, Ontario within the next day or so. Webequie First Nation is working with the Provincial Emergency Operations Centre (PEOC), Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) and Health Canada on an emergency response to protect the health and safety of the First Nation members and residents.
Chief Cornelius Wabasse stated: “I would encourage all residents of Webequie First Nation to be rest assured that we are committed to keeping our residents informed and safe. We will work with partners and government to ensure our needs are met (both, in the community, and at the evacuation site). We will continue to monitor the fire to determine if further evacuation is needed and will continue ongoing communications with residents.”
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For more information, please contact: Band Councillor Tyler Shewaybick at: Cell: (807) 633-6180 Office: (807) 353-6531 Ext. 228 or Email: tylers@webequie.ca or Chief Cornelius Wabasse at corneliusw@webequie.ca or 807-621-1970.