Evacuees head to Hamilton to escape fires

Hamilton is expecting to get up to 240 evacuees from northwestern Ontario who are fleeing dangerous forest fires that continue to spread.

A spokesperson for the Canadian Red Cross said approximately 80 people from Northern Ontario’s First Nations communities were scheduled to arrive in Hamilton Thursday evening, as the fires continue to force evacuations. However, some flights were cancelled due to challenges with weather and smoke and their Hamilton arrival has been postponed.

“We have provided some cots for the operation there and blankets and we will be registering evacuees as they arrive,” said Tanya Elliott, director, public affairs for the Red Cross.

“What I know right now, is there are approximately 80 to arrive … and there are likely to be more, I can’t confirm a total, but that would be likely over the next 12-24 hours.”

In an email sent by Mayor Bob Bratina on Thursday, just after 6 p.m., he explained to colleagues that Hamilton is “expecting to receive about 240 individuals from the fire ravaged areas near Dryden, who will be located at the correctional training facility on Beach Boulevard, the old Bell Cairn School.”

Bratina said arrangements were made by the Red Cross, Emergency Management Ontario and the province. Hamilton’s involvement still needs to be clarified.

“There will likely be obligations transferred to us, which will be defined as quickly as possible,” Bratina said.

He said Joe-Ann Priel, general manager of community services for the city is leading the reception team that was holding their first meeting last night.