Favourable winds and provincial firefighting efforts have led to the cancellation of a stage one evacuation for Wabaseemoong Independent Nations as a large forest fire burns nearby.
The fire, known as Kenora 14, was discovered on Thursday 12 kilometres from Wabaseemoong. It has since grown to more than 1,000 hectares in size, and is not under control.
"We had another update meeting (Sunday) morning, and it looked promising that we won't have to do any evacuation," said Waylon Scott, chief of Wabaseemoong. "We were at the midst of doing a stage one evacuation, which is basically the vulnerable population."
Scott said the evacuation has now been put on hold.
Chris Marchand, fire information officer with Ontario's Aviation, Forest Fire and Emergency Services (AFFES), said southerly winds have kept the fire from advancing any closer to Wabaseemoong, and helped keep smoke out of the community.
As of Sunday, Marchand said, there were 11 fire ranger crews with several more on the way, and that they were focused on the southern and western areas of the fire closest to the community.
"They're getting some help from four helicopters, with an additional three aircraft on the way ... which will assist with bucketing and helping to move crews around, and equipment."
Scott said the community is relying on the province to keep the fire away from Wabaseemoong.
"The plan of attack that they have, it's looking favourable to the point where the fire most likely won't move towards the community," he said. "They're keeping the southern part of the fire at bay, and actually putting most of their resources on the southern part by bringing in a few more choppers to bucket the fire."
The province has also put travel restrictions in effect in the area of the fire. All travel and use of roads, including on Highway 525 beyond the northern boundary of Wabaseemoong, is prohibited without a permit.
Similarly, all use of lakes and waterways, and all use and occupation of Crown land, in the area is prohibited.
Wabaseemoong is located about 95 kilometres north of Kenora
Meanwhile, suppression efforts continue on Dryden 5, which is located near Peterson Cove on Sturgeon Lake, about 62 kilometres northeast of Ignace.
The fire is 140 hectares in size, and was not under control as of Sunday. Four crews are assigned to that fire, the province said.