More than 160 people have been forced to leave their homes at Mattagami First Nation as wild fires tear up their community.
After making a 500-kilometre (km) journey, residents of Mattagami are now staying in Barrie as they wait out the Timmins 9 forest fire, as dubbed by Ontario Forest Fires.
Since June 4, the nearly 200 residents of the First Nation have been dealing with Timmins 9, which officials say has now grown to more than 3,100 hectares in size.
Chief Jennifer Constant told CTV News officials from Mattagami became aware of how serious the fire was when it grew from one hectare to over 100 in under an hour when it began in late May.
“All of the structures are still standing,” Constant said.
She explained that the local fire department and the Ministry of Natural Resources set up a perimeter around the community, attaching water hoses to the homes to keep the fire from damaging the structures.
While fire crews battle the blaze, Mattagami residents are currently being housed at a Barrie hotel.
“While we’re grateful that we are being housed relatively close to home, it’s still hard on people,” Constant said.
“You want your home, you want your bedroom, you want your routines, you want all the familiar things that make a home, home,” Constant said.
The Chief told CTV News that residents of Mattagami and their pets have been in Barrie since June 3 and are “making the best that they can.”
She said staff from Mattagami have been assuring access to daycare for parents that need it and that families have activities to keep them occupied.
When asked about how long the displaced residents are expected to stay, Constant said Mattagami residents hope to be back by next week, “but really, it’s just dependent on what happens with the fire.”
About 200 people live in the First Nations community 80 KM south of Timmins, but Mattagami boasts a total membership of over 700, many of whom are under the age of 30, Constant said.
She said during their stay in Barrie, Mattagami residents have also been provided access to traditional meals and healthcare for those in need.
Constant also thanked the Barrie Native Friendship Centre for providing smudge kits for those looking to participate in the spiritual practice to help deal with the stress of the move.
In a 2012 forest fire, Mattagami residents were forced to leave their pets behind during a similar evacuation.
Constant said Mattagami First Nation residents were especially pleased this time around when they learned their pets could come with them.
“There was roaring applause for the Ontario SPCA for the kindness they extended to us,” Constant said, explaining that when residents arrived last week, the SPCA handed out crates, bowls, leashes and pet food.
A total of 15 Ontario FireRanger crews are battling the fire along with a 20-person incident management team.
In total, seven pieces of heavy equipment and five helicopters are assigned to Timmins 9, which is located approximately 10 km from Gogama, seven kilometres west of Mattagami First Nation and 1.5 km west of Highway 144.
The road leading to Mattagami First Nation has also temporarily been closed by local fire crews, both as a fire precaution and to mitigate the risk of theft or intentional property damage.
Those trying to enter the community at this time could be charged with trespassing, Constant warns.
“I know that they’re doing the best that they can in the community to help protect our community,” Constant said, thanking police and fire fighters.
“That level of assurance is also as important as all of the supports that are here,” she said.
“Sometimes when you’re displaced from home, you feel very alone,” she said, additionally thanking the larger Barrie community for their support and positive messages.