Forest fires are threatening another remote First Nations community.
Preparations are taking place to evacuate residents of Sandy Lake as the Ministry of Natural Resources forest fire crews battle a 156,346 hectares fire nearby.
The Ministry states that boats are being mobilized and will be used to shuttle residents away when necessary.
Prime Minister Mark Carney posted on social media that Canadian Armed Forces aircraft and personnel have been deployed to airlift people out of the community.
Sprinklers and hose lines are being installed to protect structures in case the fire spreads closer.
Deer Lake is also affected by the same fire, with its residents leaving a week ago.
There are 26 active fires in northwestern Ontario at various stages.
Seven are listed as not under control.
Six new fires were reported on Saturday.
One new blaze sparked about 30 kilometres southeast of Wunnumin Lake First Nation.
It has scorched 1,789 hectares and remains not under control.
Another located near Weecogameeng Lake is 800 hectares in size, while one 13 kilometres east of Cat Lake First Nation is 5,521 in size.
A fire near Gallivan Lake, 60 kilometres southwest of Weagamow First Nation is at 1,042 hectares/
One 75 kilometres southwest of Weagamow Lake First Nation has 76 hectares respectively.
The Ministry is monitoring the two fires but provide no immediate suppression at this time.
Smaller fires were also reported east of White Otter Lake, 30 kilometres north of Atikokan and west of Long Lake near Geraldton.
The Ministry also reports progress on other large fires, including that identified as Kenora 20, west of that city and near Caribou Lake which are both listed as being held.
