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First Nation leaders are calling for a public inquiry into the Ontario wildfire response after they say communities were left to evacuate without help from the province and some residents narrowly avoided the encroaching flames.
The chief of Gull Bay First Nation says an inquiry should investigate a number of issues such as the government’s emergency co-ordination with First Nations, evacuation planning and overall provincial preparedness.
Chief Wilfred King says the lack of communication and evacuation support should “horrify all Canadians.”
Record-breaking wildfires burning across northern Ontario have prompted evacuations in at least 12 First Nations and forced more than 1,800 people to flee their homes.
A young family boards a plane as they are evacuated from Neskantaga First Nation, Ont., on Saturday, July 18, 2026. The community of Neskantaga has been put under a state of emergency by the Chief and Council in response to the threat of wildfires an... A young family boards a plane as they are evacuated from Neskantaga First Nation, Ont., on Saturday, July 18, 2026. The community of Neskantaga has been put under a state of emergency by the Chief and Council in response to the threat of wildfires and weather conditions impacting the community. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young
Several communities, including Whitewater Lake and Whitesand, have reported widespread destruction.
Premier Doug Ford says his government has done “everything we possibly can” to respond to the wildfires.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford speaks in front of a live map of smoke movement during a press conference updating media on ongoing forest fires in Ontario, in Toronto, Friday, July 17, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Cole Burston Ontario Premier Doug Ford speaks in front of a live map of smoke movement during a press conference updating media on ongoing forest fires in Ontario, in Toronto, Friday, July 17, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Cole Burston
This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 21, 2026.
