Community members take matters into their own hands
Chief Helen Paavola of the Namaygoosisagagun First Nation, also known as Collins, was aboard a flight to Ottawa when the wildfire reached her community, located about 250 kilometres north of Thunder Bay. She learned that the smoke was coming from a forest fire a short distance away, but the fire quickly spread across the community, destroying every home. All residents survived.
How the evacuation unfolded
The evacuation was organized entirely by community members. No federal, provincial, or other agency assistance arrived; the residents used a handful of small boats — 12‑foot and 14‑foot vessels with aging engines — to transport people to safety.
Leadership and coordination
Chief Paavola, upon receiving urgent messages on her phone, instructed community contacts such as her son Scott Frank, a wellness worker, to begin moving people. She also asked her nephew Lyndon Paavola to launch a drone, which revealed that the fire was far closer than initially thought — at mile 23 rather than the previously assumed mile 40.
Boat crews and challenges
Key boat drivers included Lyndon Paavola, Wayne Wastaken, and 13‑year‑old Chance Paavola, who even returned after an initial run to rescue additional residents. The boats struggled with heavy loads, such as a woman’s three dogs, forcing a young driver to cut the tow line and lose two elderly dogs to ensure the safety of the people.
Travel to Thunder Bay
After reaching the landing site, the evacuees were transported to Thunder Bay by a few volunteers who drove vans along a dangerous, poorly maintained logging road — 21 miles of twists, turns, and hills — before joining Highway 130. The journey was arduous, with one driver noting the van shook on the rough terrain, but the group arrived within about 20 minutes of the fire’s approach.
Support and future plans
Anishinabek Nation arranged accommodations for the displaced community members in Thunder Bay, providing rooms and ongoing care. The loss of all homes is a profound setback, but Chief Paavola says the immediate priority is to ensure the safety and well‑being of her people, with plans to address long‑term housing needs once the situation stabilises.
