Nearly 300 members of the Poplar Hill First Nation are in Thunder Bay and surrounding communities due to the threat of the 350 hectare forest fire (RED065).

The fire began on July 5 and is burning 10 kilometres west of the community.

“We have been in discussions with Dr. Janet DeMille, Medical Officer of Health, as it relates to the arrival and hosting of additional people within the city during the pandemic,” said Mayor Bill Mauro. “Dr. DeMille has advised there are no active COVID-19 cases in Poplar Hill and vaccinations have been rolled out within the community.”

The Municipal Emergency Control Group met Sunday morning to prepare for this step.

Meetings will continue to meet to make necessary arrangements and Mauro indicated that funding from other levels of government will be activated to cover the financial implications of being a host community.