A call to Queen’s Park to declare a State of Emergency to help First Nations communities threatened by forest fires in northern Ontario.

Nishnawbe Aski Nation Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler stressed Monday, in a statement, that the situation is getting worse every hour.

“Three of our communities have been forced to evacuate, and if fire conditions and behaviour continue on current course the potential for full scale evacuations of several communities is a reality. This is quickly becoming a NAN-wide emergency and requires an immediate, coordinated response,” said Fiddler.

“The City of Thunder Bay took quick action declaring a State of Emergency over the weekend that has allowed them to accommodate some of the evacuees from our communities, and we are grateful. It is time for the province to do the same so the appropriate personnel, equipment and supports can be mobilized before this situation becomes worse. Lives are at stake, there is no time to waste.”

A few hundred residents from Poplar Hill, Deer Lake and Pikangikum have been evacuated since the weekend, with more than 5,000 residents of these communities still to be evacuated.

The communities of Bearskin Lake, Sachigo Lake and North Spirit Lake are on high alert for potential evacuation.

There are currently more than 60 forest fires across northwestern Ontario.