Â鶹´«Ã½

Skip to main content

N.W.T. officials order phased evacuation of Yellowknife as wildfire approaches city

Share

Officials in the Northwest Territories have ordered residents of Yellowknife to evacuate as wildfires burn just outside the city's borders.

"The fire continues to advance and now burns approximately 17 kilometres outside the city," Northwest Territories Minister of Environment and Climate Change Shane Thompson told reporters at a news conference Wednesday night. "Without rain, it is possible it will reach the city outskirts by the weekend."

The order comes a day after a state of emergency was declared in the city, which is the territorial capital and home to 20,000 residents. Thompson said residents in Dettah, Ndilǫ and the Ingraham Trail should "begin evacuating in a phased approach determined by level of risk" and be out of the city by noon Friday. Residents of the city's west end, including Grace Lake, the Kam Lake industrial area and Engle business district should leave first as well, he said.

"I want to be clear that the city is not in immediate danger and there's a safe window for residents leave the city by road and by air," Thompson said.

Evacuees are advised to ensure they have enough fuel before leaving.

Thompson adds "numerous" airlines and the federal government are assisting with air evacuations, which are scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. MDT Thursday.

Northwest Territories wildfire information officer Mike Westwick says there is a plan to fight the fires as they approach the city, saying, "this is a very serious situation."

"In conjunction with the city of Yellowknife, we are setting up an extensive line of sprinklers and high volume water systems surrounding the city. These systems are intended to discourage ignition and to protect structures, if wildfire does encroach," he said.

Westwick adds crews will also be on the ground laying down fire retardant across the city's perimeter.

"We'll be looking to direct attack that fire as (efficiently) as possible. We're going to be looking to slow it down and we're going to be continuing to do good work on the ground to slow the spread towards Yellowknife."

The evacuation comes during the worst wildfire season in Canadian history, with more than 1,000 active fires burning across the country.

Members of the Canadian Armed Forces, including 124 soldiers, are prepared to mobilize in the territory as flames threaten communities and hundreds of civilians are airlifted to safety. One hundred soldiers are set to help with firefighting logistics, such as dousing hot spots and clearing areas.

Northwest Territories Premier Caroline Cochrane said she spoke with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau Wednesday, who assured her she has the federal government's full support.

"We're all in this together. But individually, we choose how to react. I know the situation's full of uncertainty, but we must take steps to stay calm and not make decisions that are going to put other people and yourselves in danger," Cochrane said. "When you don't evacuate, you put yourself and you put our first responders at risk."

She adds anyone who needs financial support to leave should meet at the multiplex, take a bus or plane.

"We don't want to see you broke down on the highway. Although we'll have supports, we want to make sure that everyone is safe," she said. "So again, if you are able to evacuate by the road, obey all the warning signs. Drive slowly. Watch for emergency management officials, traffic control devices and the posted speed limits. There's going to be a lot of people on the highway, and so everyone needs to take caution as you drive out. Do not make any rash decisions that will put others in danger. We're gonna get through this," Cochrane said.

With files from CTVNews.ca Writer Mitchell Consky 

CTVNews.ca Top Stories

Police have arrested a Toronto woman in connection with three recent homicides and investigators say that they believe two of the victims may have been 'randomly targeted.'

A teen charged with the murder of another teen on Prince Edward Island last year has pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of manslaughter.

The jury tasked with determining if Canadian musician Jacob Hoggard sexually assaulted a young woman in northeastern Ontario eight years ago began deliberating Friday after nearly two weeks of testimony that saw the singer and his accuser give starkly different accounts of what happened.

A northeastern Ontario jury has started deliberating in Canadian musician Jacob Hoggard's sexual assault trial, we can now tell you what they weren't allowed to hear.

At least two people are dead and others are injured after a fire ripped through a century-old building in Old Montreal early Friday morning, sources told Noovo Info.

Local Spotlight

Chantal Kreviazuk is set to return to Winnipeg to mark a major milestone in her illustrious musical career.

From the beaches of Cannes to the bustling streets of New York City, a new film by a trio of Manitoba directors has toured the international film festival circuit to much pomp and circumstance.

A husband and wife have been on the road trip of a lifetime and have decided to stop in Saskatchewan for the winter.

The grave of a previously unknown Canadian soldier has been identified as a man from Hayfield, Man. who fought in the First World War.

A group of classic car enthusiasts donated hundreds of blankets to nursing homes in Nova Scotia.

Moving into the second week of October, the eastern half of Canada can expect some brisker fall air to break down from the north

What does New Westminster's təməsew̓txʷ Aquatic and Community Centre have in common with a historic 68,000-seat stadium in Beijing, an NFL stadium and the aquatics venue for the Paris Olympics? They've all been named among the world's most beautiful sports venues for 2024.

The last living member of the legendary Vancouver Asahi baseball team, Kaye Kaminishi, died on Saturday, Sept. 28, surrounded by family. He was 102 years old.

New data from Greater Vancouver and the Fraser Valley shows a surge in supply and drop in demand in the region's historically hot real estate market.

Stay Connected