Operation FORGE: National Defence
and Canadian Forces Response to Wildfires in Northern Ontario
Operation FORGE
Since the beginning of July, 2011, the Canadian Forces has been airlifting Canadians away from the forest fires that have been threatening their northern Ontario communities. In close coordination with other federal, provincial and municipal authorities, the evacuees have been flown on military CC-130 Hercules aircraft to safety nearby. The airlift support and all associated operations are under the direction of Canada Command.
| Northern Ontario residents evacuated by the CF | |
| Deer Lake | 954 |
| Cat Lake | 240 |
| Fort Hope (Eabametoong) | 265 |
| Keewaywin | 123 |
| Kasabonika | 14 |
| Sandy Lake | 1735 |
| Kingfisher Lake | 283 |
| Total | 3614 |
| *Updated: 22 Jul 2011 at 0900 | |
Message from the Minister of National Defence
“As forest fires continue to ravage many parts of Northern Ontario, it’s reassuring to know that members of the Canadian Forces are ready to respond quickly to help endangered Canadians when they are called upon to aid the provincial and municipal governments... Without fail, the impressive resources that the men and women of the Canadian Forces bring to bear in these affected communities will help ensure the safety and welfare of their fellow Canadians.”
- Peter MacKay
Operation FORGE News Room
- Operation FORGE: CF Air Operations Cease After Airlifting More Than 3,600 Northern Ontario Residents To Safety
[ News Release - 22 July 2011 ] - Canadian Forces Update Operation Forge: Number Of Northern Ontario Residents Evacuated From Wildfires Climbs To Over 3,000
[ News Release - 21 July 2011 ] - Canadian Forces Evacuate Over 2500 Canadians From Communities Threatened By Ontario Wildfires
[ News Release - 20 July 2011 ] - Minister Clement And MP Rickford Meet With Northern Ontario Residents Threatened By Wildfires
[ News Release - 20 July 2011 ] - Canadian Forces Assists In Evacuation Of Northern Ontario Residents Threatened By Wildfires
[ News Release - 19 July 2011 ]
