They thought there was no immediate danger. Then a wall of smoke arrived

They thought there was no immediate –

A Wall of Smoke Changed Everything for Ontario’s Collins Community

From Calm Morning to Chaotic Evacuation

Initially, Miiyah Paavola noticed nothing but a dense barrier of smoke. Living within the Namaygoosisagagun First Nation territory in northwestern Ontario, the haze seemed imminent. However, officials from the Ministry of Natural Resources assured the isolated group on Monday, July 13, that threats were minimal. Within a matter of hours, that confidence vanished as residents scrambled to escape for their safety. Paavola explained the rapid sequence of events to CNN, noting the lack of time for reflection.

“It was all very fast-paced. There was not really much time to think about what was happening,” Paavola told CNN.

With urgency driving their actions, Paavola secured a wet towel and joined five companions, three dogs, and a single cat aboard a compact aluminum vessel. The Collins First Nation, alternatively referred to as Namaygoosisagagun, relies exclusively on a railway line and Collins Lake for access, lacking any road connections. It was only once the boat began moving across the water that Paavola realized the true magnitude of the threat looming behind them. The sky transformed into a chaotic mix of colors as the flames advanced.

“All you could see was orange and gray and it was very dark,” she said.

A Narrow Escape Across Collins Lake

As the vessel navigated the lake, Paavola observed the fire’s progress from a safer distance. She recalled watching the flames touch the shoreline while a massive cloud of smoke trailed closely behind. The proximity of the disaster became clear, prompting her to remark on how easily the outcome could have been tragic. Only twenty-five residents out of approximately sixty total inhabitants remained in Collins during the blaze. Locals believe this presence preserved lives, as crowds packed into vintage aluminum vessels ranging from twelve to fourteen feet long, driven by motors that had served them for decades. Many families were forced to abandon their beloved pets in the haste.

“If we had waited any longer, we would have been dead.”

The journey itself proved perilous, lasting roughly forty minutes as the group traveled from the northern reaches to the southern section of Collins Lake. Strong currents and waves threatened to capsize the small craft multiple times. Shortly after departing the shore, the boat struck an underwater rock, nearly flipping over and adding to the terror of the moment. Miiyah described the experience as deeply frightening, emphasizing the constant fear of losing stability on the turbulent water.

“It was very scary,” she said. “There were quite a few times I felt like we were about to tip.”

Community Loss and Government Response

Chief Helen Paavola, Miiyah’s mother, was absent from the village when the emergency began. She had received assurances from a fire official earlier in the day, believing the visible smoke originated from a distant smoldering blaze rather than an approaching inferno. During the evacuation, the Chief experienced profound anguish while attempting to contact her family members, including her daughter and two sons. The uncertainty was overwhelming until confirmation arrived that everyone had escaped.

“All I could think was … they’re gone. My children are gone. My community is gone,” she told CNN. “There are no words to explain the relief that I felt when I knew everybody was