The City of Dryden as a community has stepped up to provide assistance to evacuated communities from the ongoing fire situation across the region. The city has partnered with The Loomex Group to provide air transportation and evacuation centre coordination.
“The Municipality of Dryden, local organizations, and businesses are working tirelessly to support all of our neighboring communities currently in need. Our shared goal is to see all displaced Northwestern Ontario residents safely back in their communities and homes when it is safe to do so”, stated City of Dryden CAO Roger Nesbitt.
The City of Dryden wishes to advise that the Ministry of Northern Development, Mines, Natural Resources and Forestry (MNDMNRF) list forest fire activity in the Northwest Ontario Region as high to extreme.
As a result of multiple First Nation communities being evacuated the Dryden Regional Airport has served as a transportation hub for evacuees traveling to their final destination. Dryden has also been assisting Pikangikum evacuees with support services and assists in registering and continues to support the Independent First Nations Assembly (IFNA).
The City of Dryden submitted a declaration of emergency last week to the Provincial Emergency Operations Centre (PEOC) to aid in the support of the evacuation centre and transportation hub services.
The evacuation centre will provide sleeping quarters, food, and washroom facilities.