Miiyah Paavola escaped the devastating wildfire that completely destroyed the remote Collins First Nation community in northwestern Ontario.
Miiyah Paavola fled her home in the Namaygoosisagagun First Nation, also known as Collins First Nation, as a wildfire completely destroyed the remote community. Residents were forced to evacuate by boat after a thick wall of smoke and flames reached the shoreline with little warning. While the community was told there was no immediate danger, the fire moved so quickly that many residents had to flee in aging aluminum boats, leaving behind several pets. The destruction of the community has sparked criticism regarding the provincial wildfire strategy. Linda Debassige, Grand Council Chief of the Anishinabek Nation, noted that the community fell through jurisdictional cracks as a "near band," complicating access to government support. Meanwhile, Premier Doug Ford defended the provincial response, stating that the government will spend whatever is needed to fight the fires, despite a budget that is nearly half of what was spent last year. The fires have also impacted air quality hundreds of miles away, affecting residents as far as Toronto.