Continue following public health measures: NWHU on evacuation safety

Over 60 forest fires are active across Northwestern Ontario, forcing some communities to evacuate leaving everything behind.

Dr. Kit Young Hoon Medical Officer of Health for the Northwestern Health Unit spoke on COVID-19 safety measures for those being evacuated.

“We do encourage people to continue following public health recommendations. I'm asking especially when indoors or in situations outdoors, where you're interacting with many people or in a crowded environment and where others are coming within two metres of you. Masking is very important, maintaining that physical distance if possible, even though I know that's not always possible.” said Young Hoon

“It's always important for people to be prepared for emergencies. We are encouraging those who may be in affected communities to be thinking about the potential for evacuation and getting ready to evacuate as you move forward,” added Young Hoon

Young Hoon recommends that people that have been evacuated to other communities that aren't fully vaccinated try and receive a vaccine in that community.

Vaccine clinics across the province are open to everyone regardless of where they're from, as vaccination records are kept in the provincial system.

The Medical Officer of Health did state that if you or a household member experience COVID-19 symptoms to self isolate.

“We also want people if you're sick to meet some efforts to self isolate from others. This of course would be potentially very challenging in an evacuation-type situation. I think there is a need to find that balance of the importance of evacuating and, of course, evacuating safely with your family and also trying to maintain self-isolation if possible,” says Young Hoon

Currently, the Deer Lake, Popular Hill and Pikangikum First Nations are the three communities that have been evacuated to date.

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF) says there are 69 active fires in the region. 19 fires are not under control, five fires are being held, 28 are being observed and 17 fires are under control.