N.W.T. officials order phased evacuation of Yellowknife as wildfire approaches city
CTV
Officials in the Northwest Territories have ordered residents of Yellowknife to evacuate as wildfires burn just outside the city's borders.
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.
For more information about evacuation orders, visit the territory's website.
