The City of Yellowknife Begins Evacuation Due to Wildfires

Government of the Northwest Territories have ordered residents of Yellowknife to begin evacuating the city as wildfire approaches.

In the announcement made on Wednesday, the officials urged residents to leave by noon of Friday. Environment Minister Shane Thompson said the evacuation will happen in phases.

According to the evacuation order by the government, residents “should evacuate according to risk”. “Residents living along the Ingraham Trail, in Dettah, Kam Lake, Grace Lake and Engle Business District are currently at highest risk and should evacuate as soon as possible”, said the order.

The officials said other residents have until noon on Friday, August 18 2023 to evacuate.

Residents who are able to drive out of Yellowknife are able to start evacuating now and are urged to fill their gas tanks before leaving the city. The government says residents evacuating by highway will be escorted through the active fire zone, in cases of smoky conditions.

Residents are implored to obey all warning signs, emergency management officials, traffic control devices and posted speed limits. The government says there are no evacuation reception centers available yet for residents leaving by vehicle.

Individuals who do not have vehicles or are immunocompromised are encouraged to register for flights as soon as possible due to intensifying smoke in the region. Air evacuations are scheduled to begin at 1pm Thursday, August 17, 2023.

The evacuation order says a flight schedule will be posted to the GNWT’s public safety page, with other necessary details. Residents are advised to be present at Sir John Franklin High School after 10am on Thursday and to carry no more than 5 days’ worth of clothing and supplies.

The government has discouraged evacuating by boat to an Island or cabin on Great Slave Lake.