'Incredibly difficult times': PM Justin Trudeau visits N.W.T. wildfire evacuees at reception centre in Edmonton

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau paid a visit to wildfire evacuees from the Northwest Territories being hosted at the Edmonton Expo Centre on Friday.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau paid a visit to wildfire evacuees from the Northwest Territories being hosted at the Edmonton Expo Centre on Friday.

The event was closed to media, but the Prime Minister gave a brief statement to reporters after the visit.

"I was speaking with a number of the evacuees, that sense of community is incredibly strong even as people are worried about their homes and their community in Yellowknife," he said.

Trudeau said it's been an unprecedented summer for fire and flooding, and thanked Canadians for opening their doors and their hearts to evacuees.

"All through it we've seen Canadians step up. Obviously first responders, firefighters, police, volunteers, Red Cross has been incredible in supporting and responding to people, but so have neighbours being there for neighbours, people looking out for each other, supporting each other through incredibly difficult times."

While he was in Edmonton to support evacuees from N.W.T., Trudeau also took a moment to recognize the situation in Kelowna where evacuation orders are also in place due to wildfire.

"It's moving very fast. It's important that people listen to all the best recommendations of the public safety and public health authorities on how to keep, keep safe," he said.