Be ready for more evacuees from Pikangikum First Nation to arrive in Thunder Bay for a second time this year.
Deputy Fire Chief Greg Hankkio tells us they could be here this week.
“We will be in a position to potentially begin receiving evacuees from Pikangikum, or another community for that matter, as soon as Wednesday of this week.”
The fire official adds while Pikangikum is the main focus of evacuation efforts, other communities in the north may also need to be evacuated.
Hankkio says that last week, they committed to hosting up to 200 people, but that number could change now that Blues Fest is over, freeing up some space at local hotels.
As of Tuesday morning, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry notes the fire near Pikangikum remains over 40,000 hectares, while the one near Keewayin is over 71,000.
There were 3 new fires reported Monday afternoon, one in the Red Lake area, also Kenora and Fort Frances, bringing the total to 21 across the region.
The MNR adds 5 are not under control, 5 are under control, 2 are being held and 9 are under observation.
