- Early estimates indicate the 2026 Ontario wildfire season is the worst on record and not over.
- First Nations communities were left to self-evacuate without government help or emergency alerts as wildfires burned homes.
- Despite inquiries, the community was assured there was no imminent threat, and if they had waited for a mandatory evacuation, it would have resulted in recovery missions for children and elders.
- First Nations leaders accused Premier Doug Ford of being unclear about support and disorganized in coordinating with First Nations.
- The CBC reported Ontario spent $271m on emergency firefighting in 2025-26 but plans to spend only $150m in 2026-27.
- The federal government delayed funding, forcing the Anishinabek Nation to step in with financial support.
- Expert Nicole Redvers noted a disproportionate wildfire impact on Indigenous communities due to proximity to forests, and Canada’s lack of planning around community resilience, leading to communities having to evacuate without warning.
Ontario is grappling with its worst wildfire season on record, as First Nations communities report being left to self-evacuate without government assistance. Fast-moving wildfires have devastated two communities, raising alarms about the province's emergency response.3
"If this community waited for a mandatory evacuation process, we’d be doing a recovery mission for the bodies of children, of elders, of men and women." said a local leader, highlighting the dire situation faced by residents.
Despite Ontario's spending of £271 million on emergency firefighting in 2025-26, the province plans to cut funding to £150 million in 2026-27. This reduction has raised concerns among First Nations leaders, who accuse the provincial government of disorganization and lack of clarity regarding support.
Debassige, a community leader, noted that the federal government had agreed to provide funding, but delays forced the Anishinabek Nation to step in with financial support. "A community had to evacuate themselves without any warning," she stated, emphasizing the urgency of the situation.8
According to a 2019 study from the Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction, 80% of Indigenous communities in Canada are located in areas highly susceptible to wildfires. This vulnerability, coupled with inadequate planning for climate resilience, has exacerbated the challenges faced by communities like Namaygoosisagagun, which had sought assurances from the federal government prior to the fires.
As the wildfire season continues, First Nations leaders are calling for immediate action and better coordination from the provincial government to ensure the safety of their communities.
“First Nations leaders, including from the Anishinabek Nation, accused Premier Doug Ford of disorganization and unclear support. The CBC reported Ontario spent $271m on emergency firefighting in 2025-26 but plans to spend only $150m in 2026-27.”
The Guardian
