N.W.T. officials prepare to welcome back residents of Yellowknife and other communities

Officials shared details at a press conference today about the lifting of an evacuation order in Yellowknife and other nearby communities. Residents of these communities may be able to return to their homes as early as Sept. 6 as the threat of wildfires subsides.

The Northwest Territories is preparing to welcome back residents to Yellowknife, Dene First Nation and to the communities of Ndilǫ and Délı̨nę as early as Sept. 6., officials said at a press conference on Saturday.

The territorial government also intends to change the status for Ingraham Trail from evacuation order to an alert for the same timeframe.

The announcement comes as two major wildfires in the vicinity of Yellowknife have been downgraded from “out of control” to “being held.”

“This is excellent news,” said Shane Thompson, the territory's minister of municipal and community affairs.

“There is a lot of work that must be done to ensure that a basic level of service and support is available for you when you get home,” he added, encouraging residents of the four communities to stay put until Wednesday at noon.

Julie Green, the territory’s minister of health and social services said there will be no resources available for residents until Wednesday - and after that, she is estimating it will take about a month for health services to reach “full capacity.”

For now, there will be basic-life sustaining services, including emergency care, some surgical capacity, inpatient beds and primary care, she said.