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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 evacuated without adequate warning or provincial support.
Experts warn climate change is increasing the risk of hazardous events, creating urgency for 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 evacuations often fail; Kitty Cochrane, who evacuated Fort McMurray in 2016, says even with preparation, "there will be big emotions."
Amy Cardinal Christianson of the Indigenous Leadership Initiative argues governments must improve communication during unfolding disasters and provide long-term stable funding for Indigenous communities to have dedicated emergency managers.
Whitehorse entrepreneur Stephanie Hawkins is developing an app called POM Resilience, designed to function offline and allow users to coordinate resources and share information when internet and cell services fail.

Insights by Ground AI