Officials continue to iron out Yellowknife re-entry plans, even though return has been put on hold

Although strong winds are complicating the return of essential workers to Yellowknife, officials said they're still working ahead on the plan's next steps. 

For example, residents can expect details in the coming days about registering for flights that will return them to the Northwest Territories capital said Jay Boast, an emergency management organization information officer with the territory's Department of Municipal and Community Affairs. 

As of Thursday, the return of essential workers was put on pause — except for health-care workers travelling to Stanton Territorial Hospital by plane. Gusting winds are expected to whip up fires along Highway 1 near the border with Alberta, and a closure of that portion of the road is likely from Friday to Sunday, the territory has said. 

Boast said the government will continue to bring back essential health-care workers because health-care is the backbone of the territory's essential services. The city said it would not bring back other essential workers by plane because road closures mean food and gas can't come North either. 

Yellowknife officials did not have a number for how many essential workers were being recalled, but city manager Sheila Bassi-Kellet said the list of essential services and personnel includes those who help run water and sewage services, grocery stores, pharmacies, and transportation, as well as people who care for the children of essential workers. 

Boast told CBC News in an email earlier on Thursday that an updated list of essential workers is provided to staff at the checkpoint heading into the city.

As of Thursday morning, he said, the southern barricade was at Steen River, Alta., though it moves depending on fire conditions. Another is set up at kilometer 272, between Yellowknife and Behchokǫ̀, N.W.T., and a third is at the intersection of Highway 1 and 2 at Enterprise, N.W.T. All, said Boast, are staffed 24 hours a day. 

Fire crews are bracing for tough days ahead — particularly in the South Slave region. 

The strong, gusting winds hampering the re-entry to Yellowknife are coming from the southwest and are expected to gust up to 40 kilometres per hour near Fort Smith, N.W.T., and up to 60 kilometres per hour around Hay River, N.W.T., on Friday. 

The wind could blow fires toward both of those communities. 

Once that wind dies down, though, there could be a return to more seasonal conditions. 

Below are live updates from Thursday afternoon's press conference. Updates appear in descending order, from newest to oldest.

5:16 p.m.: Premier Caroline Cochrane is making final remarks.

She says: "I know it's hard, I know we all want answers, but again we want to stress … we're going to get you back, as soon as it's safe to do so."