Lodge At Wabakimi Fishing & Canoeing Outfitters Burns Down
Sad news today, with the fires ravaging forests in Northern Ontario, sadly the lodge at Wabakimi Fishing & Canoeing Outfitters has burnt down. Here’s the latest news that they have shared…
It started in late May with fairly small forest fires inside and outside of Wabakimi burning fairly slowly and steadily. Then there were a series of days from 90-105’F/40’C, which is record-breaking in our neighbourhood. That was followed by a long line of thunderstorms with more lightning than rain. Then followed by high winds. Boom!
With fires spreading and smoke getting thick, air services did a great job of getting as many people out of the bush as possible, flying until dark.
The fires swept eastward from near Shawanabis Lake, surging 20 miles in a few hours. We received no warnings from the government but fortunately received a phone call to the lodge from an official of Whitesand First Nation. Three staff (Tom Rossi, Kassandra Rossi and Tanner Harris-Barton) had two hours to gather up what they could and flee down the highway to Thunder Bay with some customers in tow, just ahead of the inferno. The lodge and other buildings and almost all of 12 acres of trees were turned to smoking ashes by morning of July 14. (In the days that followed, the fire advanced onto several of the lakes where we had outposts. Their fate is not yet confirmed – but probably grim.)
It was not over yet. Two German paddlers were evacuated from Allanwater Bridge by plane as the train was cancelled. There were still 2 parties of paddlers (all 4 paddlers from the USA) trapped by smoke and flames. After being told there would be evacuation support from Ontario, it became apparent that we were on our own to rescue them! And we did. Against long odds, our last 4 paddlers, in 2 parties, were rescued by helicopter.
A big shoutout to the herculean two-day, often sleepless, efforts of Lindsey David and Michael Hyer. Four grateful paddlers are back home with their families.
We are waiting to see the helicopter bill! But that is a small cost compared to the lives saved. Small also compared to the huge bill coming to rebuild. The insurance will not cover it adequately. But…
We will carry on! Stay tuned.
We have had to postpone trips for the rest of July and into the beginning of August as Wabakimi Park is closed and an Evacuation Order is in place. We are hopeful of meeting the plans of some of the canoeists in late August and beyond, as well as the guests of the remaining outposts.
A super-clear and current website is BushFire.io. It shows what is currently burning but doesn’t show the areas that have already burned and cooled off. The sections of the park that are still burning or have been turned to smoke and ash include Burntrock Lake, Palisade River, most of Whitewater Lake, large parts of Smoothrock Lake, all around Caribou Lake and Caribou River, Onamakawash and Shawanabis, and the Lookout River. The western and southwestern parts of the park are still green.
The burned parts will come back! Fire is a natural part of the Boreal Forest life cycle. Lots of caribou habitat remains. But it will be pretty stark for a while. For a few years, many Wabakimi canoe trips will likely be accessed by rail and/or floatplane – in order to get to the green parts of the park.
We are committed to providing services when we can. Best way to inquire is by email: info@Wabakimi.com
We are committed to rebuilding and continuing to do what we love: providing high-quality wilderness experiences in and near Wabakimi Park. Bruce is going to semi-retire. He will continue to give advice and send paddlers great maps of the route he helps them pick out. Wabakimi will green up. The Wabakimi Outfitters team looks forward to continuing to serve you!
Margaret Wanlin (Hyer), Director
Our thoughts go out to Bruce, his family and staff at Wabakimi Fishing & Canoeing Outfitters and everyone facing hardships in the area.
