Air evacuations will commence today to move residents in the capital of Canada’s Northwest Territories out of the path of wildfires that approached the city of around 20,000 people.
The Northwest Territories government has ordered people living in the four areas of Yellowknife at the highest risk to leave as soon as possible and residents in other areas have until noon on Friday to leave. The authorities added that only those who don’t have the option of leaving by road should register for the flights out while people who are immunocompromised or have a condition that puts them at higher risk were encouraged to sign up.
While talking to reporters, Shane Thompson, a government minister for the Northwest Territories said: “I want to be clear that the city is not in immediate danger and there’s a safe window for residents to leave the city by road and by air.”
The fire was burning about 10 miles outside the city and the evacuation order applies to the city of Yellowknife and the neighboring First Nations communities of Ndilo and Dettah.
Thompson said: “Without rain, it is possible it will reach the city outskirts by the weekend.”
People leaving Yellowknife by highway will be escorted through the active fire zone in case visibility is limited by smoke.
Over 200 wildfires have already destroyed a widespread area of the Northwest Territories.
Mike Westwick, the region’s fire information officer said eight communities totalling around 6,800 people, or 15% of the Northwest Territories population, have already evacuated.
Many highways have been closed and the territory has witnessed what officials described as the biggest evacuation in its history. Canadian Forces personnel are helping firefighters and have flown evacuees out on Hercules aircraft.
SUPPORT NIGERIAN CANADIAN NEWSPAPER CANADA
If you like our work and want to keep enjoying what we offer, kindly support us by donating to the Nigerian Canadian News by clicking here
Share your thoughts in the comments section below
Do you want to share any news or information with us? If yes, contact the publisher at publisher@test1.nascitest.club
