Teen recalls harrowing escape from forest fire in tin boat
A 13-year-old boy helped rescue community members from a devastating wildfire that destroyed the Collins First Nation in Ontario. The fire, which grew to over 350,000 hectares, forced residents to flee across a lake by boat as their homes were consumed.
Why it matters
This highlights the increasing vulnerability of remote communities to extreme climate-driven wildfires and the lack of infrastructure for emergency evacuations.
THUNDER BAY, Ont. - Thousands of people in northwestern Ontario have been forced from their homes due to fast-moving wildfires, with many more told to be ready to leave as strong winds threaten to further the spread of more than 60 out-of-control fires.
One of the hardest hit communities is Collins First Nation, also known as Namaygoosisagagun, where the chief confirmed Thursday that the entire community has been destroyed.
“The flames were jumping and it was so scary,” said Chance Paavola, a 13-year-old boy. He was seen in a now-viral video driving a tin boat away from the flames.
“I was in disbelief, I couldn’t believe the fire was burning right in Collins,” he said. “It was scary that people could have been left behind.”
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