Municipality of Red Lake – The Ontario government is providing the Municipality of Red Lake with up to $226,600 in provincial disaster recovery funding to help cover emergency response costs related to a wildfire. The funds will help the municipality with expenses for fire monitoring services provided by the municipal fire department as well as evacuation of vulnerable residents and other actions to keep the community safe. This financial support is being provided through the Municipal Disaster Recovery Assistance (MDRA) program.

On July 12, 2021, the Municipality of Red Lake was threatened by a forest fire requiring the evacuation of residents and creating unforeseen municipal operating costs. The fire burned over 36,037 hectares and came within 20 kilometers of the community, prompting the evacuation of residents in the area.

“As partners with municipalities, we want to help ensure that communities across the province have access to the necessary services to maintain their safety and quality of life whenever a significant natural disaster occurs,” said Steve Clark, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. “By accessing this funding, the Municipality of Red Lake will be able to cover significant emergency response costs incurred due to the forest fire.”

Ontario’s MDRA program helps municipalities address extraordinary emergency response costs and damage to essential property or infrastructure like bridges, roads and public buildings, as a result of a natural disaster.