This story was last updated Aug. 16 at 5:40 p.m.
In response to the wildfire situation, several medical services in Yellowknife are being reduced or suspended.
Medical travel to the NWT capital is suspended except when urgent.
Surgical services are reduced to urgent and emergency cases.
And ICU services should be closed within 24 hours, with remaining patients being sent to Alberta.
A full list of service disruptions is available on the NTHSSA website.
Fire could reach Yellowknife within days
The wildfire approaching Yellowknife could reach the edge of the city by the weekend.
That’s according to the most recent update from NWT Fire.
“While rain is in the forecast, there are no guarantees,” the update reads.
“There is risk to the City of Yellowknife. Our team, alongside the City of Yellowknife, are doing everything possible to slow the growth of this fire and protect the community.”
At last estimate, the fire was 17 kilometres away at its closest point. Behchokǫ̀ is not considered to be at threat.
Parts of Yellowknife are now under an evacuation alert as wildfire continues to devastate the territory. An evacuation alert was issued for the districts of Kam Lake, Grace Lake, and the Engle Business District on Tuesday evening. Residents of these areas should be prepared to evacuate at a moment’s notice.
The evacuation order for Highway 3 has also been extended to include kilometres 284 to 329. Those along this stretch of road should evacuate as soon as it is safe to do so.
Highways 2 and 5 and the Jean Marie access remain closed.
YK RCMP investigating arson
As Yellowknife residents wait with bated breath, the RCMP says it is investigating two incidents of arson in the City from last night.
One was near Long Lake, and the other on Burwash Drive. No suspects have been caught in connection with the first incident, while four female suspects have been charged with arson in connection with the second incident.
Hay River Mayor pleads with stragglers
Meanwhile in Hay River, on Tuesday evening Mayor Kandis Jameson pleaded with residents who are still in the community to leave as soon as possible.
She estimated about 500 residents are left in the community.
The fire threatening that community is about 14 kilometres south of the town.
No more flights will leave the community until there is enough interest from residents.
Telecom services still disrupted
Telecommunications services remain disrupted in several communities across the territory.
Although services were restored in Fort Providence Tuesday afternoon, Hay River, Kakisa, Fort Smith, Enterprise, Fort Resolution and Jean Marie River are still without internet and phone service.
And while service was restored to Tsiigehtchic on Tuesday afternoon, the remaining communities in the Beaufort Delta still have limited service.
Prescription refills available
Residents of evacuated communities can still access prescription refills.
Evacuees who need refills can call the Yellowknife Primary Care Centre at 867-767-9294, press 0, and identify themselves as evacuees. Residents can also have a pharmacy inside or outside of the territory fax a refill request to 867-920-7711.
