Toy drives and donation drop-offs: How Thunder Bay, Ont., is supporting wildfire evacuees

People in boom quest ar coming unitedly to call for donations for wildfire evacuees in the Ontario city, including members of Namaygoosisagagun First Nation who have lost everything.

More than a dozen communities in northwestern Ontario have been evacuated due to the region’s wildfires, and evacuees from communities including Armstrong, Whitesand First Nation, Namaygoosisagagun First Nation (also known as Collins First Nation) and Gull Bay First Nation are staying in hotels and university residences in town.

Donations of food, clothing and essential supplies can be dropped off at the Superior Inn Hotel and Conference Centre, and will later be taken to evacuees where they're staying. Anishinabek Nation is also accepting donations on behalf of Namaygoosisagagun after the entire community burned to the ground on Monday.

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The Thunder Bay Police Service (TBPS) also launched a toy drive Thursday for children who've been displaced.

"We wanted to fill a little bit of a gap for families who have young children," said Tracie Smith, director of corporate communications for TBPS.

"These families, we can only imagine what they're going through. The children are staying in unfamiliar places, families are facing uncertainty," she said.

"We're hoping that by providing some toys, it brings just a little bit of comfort and lets families know that we're thinking about them, that we care about them."

New or gently-used toys, books and games are being accepted at the police station 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

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Smith noted that the TBPS is part of the city's municipal emergency control group, and is engaged in daily meetings and providing support as the situation develops.

"There could be more evacuations. People don't know how long they might be evacuated for," Smith said. "We know some communities have been destroyed, we know others are at risk, so it is a dynamic situation." 

Despite efforts to be adaptable, city manager John Collin warned that accommodations are scarce.

"The reality is, the inn is full," he said.

"There is not a single hotel room to be found in the city at this point in time, and that becomes a challenge for the additional evacuees that are coming in," Collin said, noting the city was prepared to use arenas and other facilities if it becomes necessary.

The city is working with the province to become more of a temporary hub for evacuees being relocated further south to areas with more free space, he explained.

Meanwhile, several programs and events have been cancelled and outdoor facilities were closed in Thunder Bay due to severe air quality warnings caused by wildfire smoke.

"Walk out of this building and it will literally hit me like a lead brick. It is very, very powerful," Collin said.

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Environment and Climate Change Canada says smoke levels may improve Friday, and a chance of precipitation could also help scour the atmosphere of smoke particles.

Though the yellow and orange skies have sparked anxiety among many in the community, Collin says the closest wildfires to the city are between 80 and 100 kilometres away.

"They're not at our doorstep, if you will, and that's why we continue to assure our community that there is no immediate threat to Thunder Bay."

Reporter

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