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Communications gaps are making chaotic emergency evacuations even worse

In 2026, severe wildfire evacuations across Canada, including Northern Ontario and the Northwest Territories, strained emergency response systems as Indigenous leaders reported residents were forced to evacuate without adequate warning or provincial support.
Experts warn climate change is increasing the risk of hazardous events, creating urgency for community preparedness; between 1980 and 2021, Forty-two per cent of wildfire evacuations occurred in Indigenous communities.
The Canadian Red Cross urges Canadians to build kits with supplies for 10 days, yet planned evacuations often fail; Kitty Cochrane, a Fort McMurray evacuee from 2016, notes that even with preparation, "there will be big emotions."
Amy Cardinal Christianson, director of fire stewardship with the Indigenous Leadership Initiative, argues governments must improve communication during unfolding disasters and provide long-term stable funding for dedicated emergency managers in Indigenous communities.
Whitehorse entrepreneur Stephanie Hawkins is developing an app called POM Resilience, designed to function offline and allow users to coordinate resources when internet and cell services fail during communications outages.

Insights by Ground AI