Residents of Namaygoosisagagun First Nation in northwestern Ontario are recounting a dramatic escape after a fast-moving wildfire destroyed their community, forcing everyone present to flee by boat to safety.
The remote First Nation, also known as Collins First Nation, lies west of Armstrong, about 250 kilometres north of Thunder Bay. On Monday, just over two dozen people were in the community when the wildfire rapidly advanced, leaving residents with only minutes to evacuate.
Fifteen-year-old Miiyah Paavola said she first learned of the emergency after receiving a call from her mother, Chief Helen Paavola, who was attending the Assembly of First Nations Annual General Assembly in Ottawa.
“My mom told me not to panic,” Miiyah recalled. “Of course, I panicked.”
As smoke thickened and flames approached homes, community members Scott Frank and Lyndon Paavola went door to door urging residents to gather essential belongings and head to the shoreline immediately.
Residents boarded several overcrowded boats, bringing along children, elders and pets, before crossing the lake as flames engulfed the community behind them.
“It was within a matter of minutes where it went from just smoke to open flames just around the corner from us,” said Scott Frank. “Adrenaline definitely took over.”
After reaching the opposite shore, evacuees raced along Highway 527 while the wildfire continued to spread behind them. Everyone escaped safely.
Chief Helen Paavola said maintaining contact with residents during the evacuation was difficult because communications repeatedly failed.
“There was a time where it was just silence, where I didn’t even know if anybody survived,” she said. “It’s a miracle that my members are alive today.”
The evacuees are now staying in hotels in Thunder Bay after the wildfire destroyed the community in less than an hour.
“They survived it, but now we have nothing,” Chief Paavola said. “The whole community burned down.”
The wildfire impacting Namaygoosisagagun First Nation, Armstrong and Whitesand First Nation had grown to more than 350,000 hectares by Thursday, according to Ontario’s Aviation, Forest Fire and Emergency Services. More than 175 wildfires were burning across Ontario, with over a dozen communities under mandatory evacuation orders.
Chief Paavola is urging both the provincial and federal governments to provide immediate assistance to residents who have lost their homes, noting that her community is still in the process of receiving official First Nation recognition.
“That shouldn’t stop them from helping us,” she said. “They have a duty to help us.”
Ontario has formally requested federal assistance, including the possible deployment of the Canadian Armed Forces to support evacuation efforts. Prime Minister Mark Carney said Ottawa remains in close contact with provincial, municipal and Indigenous leaders and is prepared to provide additional support if required.
Nishnawbe Aski Nation Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler said the disaster highlights long-standing infrastructure challenges across Ontario’s Far North, including limited airport capacity, transportation access and communications systems that complicate emergency responses.
“Our main priority is to prevent loss of life,” Fiddler said, calling for greater resources to protect northern communities during increasingly severe wildfire seasons.
Despite losing their homes, residents remain determined to rebuild. Chief Paavola praised the courage and unity shown during the evacuation, saying neighbours ensured everyone reached safety before leaving the community behind.
