Ontario First Nation residents take shelter in Toronto-area amid wildfires [Video]

On benches outside a hotel near Toronto Pearson International Airport sits members of Deer Lake First Nation.

“We don’t know when we’ll be going home,” said Don Meekis, who has been staying in the Toronto-area since the end of May when his wildfire-stricken community was given evacuation notice.

“First couple of days was hard, but after a while it started getting easier. … Lots of help coming around.”

He is one of thousands of residents from Northern Ontario who have been forced to flee their homes due to the wildfires.

“I saw there was flames, 50-foot flames close to our homes,” Meekis recalled. “So many communities close by are getting evacuated too.”

According to the Canadian Red Cross, its services were requested.

“At the request of ISN Maskwa, the Canadian Red Cross is providing support to individuals from Deer Lake First Nation which includes registration, reception and information, and personal …