Evacuee recalls ‘surreal’ escape as northern Ontario wildfire threatens First Nation

By Rianna Lim When Destiny Rae boarded the military airplane that was evacuating residents of her First Nation in northwestern Ontario on Sunday, she looked out the window and saw her community in a smoky haze. “It’s very surreal, you feel very sad,” Rae recalled. “I remember looking back at the airport terminal and thinking, ‘This is my home. I hope it’s here when I come back.” National Defence said CC-130 Hercules airplanes have been airlifting people out of Sandy Lake First Nation as a wildfire burns through the area, and more than 1,400 people had been evacuated as of Tuesday afternoon. Among the evacuees was Rae, who said she’s not sure when she’ll be able to return home — and what will be left standing — as a 1,500-square…

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