The newest numbers from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry shows 41 fires are still active in the region, 13 are considered out of control, and 28 are being held, are under control or being observed. The Parry Sound 33 wildfire has now surpassed 10,000 hectares in size and is still inching its way toward Highway 69, with the flames now less than 5 kilometres away. That’s prompted a new round of evacuations in the sprawling Municipality of Killarney, which stretches all the way down to the Key River. With a fresh round of evacuations complete, more than 1,000 people have fled the steady march of Parry Sound 33. Amanda Barbe is a Henvey Inlet First Nation evacuee. “It’s terrifying. You don’t know what to take. You’re kind of panicked.” said Barbe. Almost 200 people from Henvey Inlet First Nation are still reeling after fleeing their homes close to two weeks ago, with most now taking refuge in Sudbury and anxiously waiting for the chance to return. “We’re holding up pretty good. We’re really just holding out for the wind, for that to go in a good direction and away from the bay.” said Barbe. On Wednesday, another 400 people in the sprawling Municipality of Killarney were displaced as heavy winds keep fanning the flames closer and closer to Highway 69. It is important to note that the Village of Killarney is not impacted by the latest evacuations. Those orders are for areas within the municipality, a huge region of 1,000 square kilometres. The village itself is safe, bustling, and is ‘business as usual’. Many are frustrated by media reports that suggest the Village of Killarney is now a ghost town. Ted East is a resident of Killarney. “The fire is a couple hours’ drive away. Our heart breaks for our fellow residents in the Key River area, which are being evacuated, but the media grabs the headline that Killarney is being evacuated.” said East. All along the highway, communities that rely on seasonal tourism are being hammered and the longer the fire stays, the longer people stay away. “We have 10 businesses that are being affected very badly because they’re now shut down for an indefinite period of time.” said Jim Rook of the Municipality of Killarney. With thousands in the area now helpless against the advance of the inferno, there’s nothing to do but wait. “I can’t see us going back home until the fire is out or until it’s burned through.” said Barbe. And then there’s no telling what kind of home they’ll be going back to.
