Wildfire burns structures south of Hay River, N.W.T., through Enterprise

The Town of Hay River says wildfires have burned property and structures in the area of Paradise Gardens south through Enterprise.

The update, at about 11:30 p.m., noted there were no known fires within Hay River, north of Patterson's Road. Anyone still in Hay River should go to the airport.

Flights are set to depart throughout the night, headed for Fort McMurray.

The update said winds have calmed down and the town hopes the fire will only have limited growth into Hay River overnight.

On Sunday evening, 215 people were flown from Hay River to Grande Prairie. Healthcare patients were also flown out.

People are using a Facebook page named NWT Wildfires Safety Check to mark themselves safe from the wildfires, and to check that friends and family members are safe. 

It's the second time this summer residents of Hay River, N.W.T., are fleeing a nearby wildfire; this comes as the community was hosting evacuees from Fort Smith fleeing their own wildfire. 

Those who have not yet left Hay River were told earlier Sunday evening to head for the airport instead of driving out. A fire had started near Paradise Gardens and Garden Road, affecting traffic from Hay River to Enterprise.

Hay River, a town of about 3,500 residents on the southern shore of Great Slave Lake, was one of five N.W.T. communities evacuating Sunday as wildfires, blown by heavy winds, threaten them.

Residents of K'atl'odeeche First Nation and Enterprise were also ordered to leave.

Residents remaining in Fort Smith, N.W.T. were told to stop sheltering in place and head for the community's recreation centre, as the fire may reach the west end of the community Sunday night. 

Wood Buffalo National Park posted on their Facebook page that the fire was expected to reach within five kilometres of the community's west end by midnight. 

N.W.T. Fire and the Town of Hay River were telling evacuees to travel to Alberta, in Facebook posts on Sunday afternoon.

Rita and Bill Plunkett left their home in K'atl'odeeche First Nation Sunday, heading to Grande Prairie. They said it's the third time they've had to leave. The reserve was evacuated in May, and last year residents had to flee floodwaters.