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More Whatì evacuees arrive in Yellowknife from Behchokǫ̀
As emotions and privacy concerns rise, the Tłı̨chǫ Government says media not welcome at reception centres in the capital
The two massive wildfires that have forced the evacuation of some 1,150 residents have not creeped any closer to Whatì or Fort Providence in recent days, with backburn ignition operations being successful, says NWT Fire.
As of Wednesday, the City of Yellowknife was hosting a total of 375 total registered evacuees (326 Whatì and 49 from Fort Providence).
More Whatì evacuees arrived today from Behchokǫ̀ – “a bus and a half” — after Chief Bertha Rabesca Zoe and council decided it was best for all to be together, says Grand Chief Jackson Lafferty.
“Chief and Council decided that it’s best to have one center, as opposed to commuting from Yellowknife to Behchokǫ̀, the chief was attending both centers, so it was a bit too much.
“They just want to have a one centralized location. So, they decided to have it in Yellowknife”
Asked how the evacuees are doing, the Grand Chief said it’s clear the people want to return to their homes.
“They’re doing okay, considering all things. I was there yesterday, all day, prayed with them in the Fieldhouse,” he told CKLB. “Obviously people want to go, go home, right? But we’re just waiting until it’s clear from all government sectors.
“We’re just waiting for a green light to come … hopefully they’ll be going home Saturday. That’s the plan, but it all depends on the wind direction.
“We’ll see what happens next day or two, and then we should have a clear idea.”
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- Some of the many helicopters working to save Fort Providence froim a wildfire that has forced the evacuation of the Dehcho community. (Photo: NWT Fire)
Wednesday’s morning rain and cooler temperatures has evacuees anxious to return home, but the Evacuation Orders are staying in place.
The Community of Whatì issued an evacuation order on Saturday morning, as Fire ZF048 (now 27,161 hectares) raged towards the community, on the shores of Lac la Marte.
Main fire remains at seven kilometres south of Whatı̀ Airport, and the backburn ignition line is just one kilometre from the community’s airport.
While an evacuation order is in place, it is NOT safe for evacuated Whatì residents to return,” stated an update from NWT Fire.
“We urge people to allow crews to continue working on containing this fire to ensure it is safe when residents return.”
Earlier today, the Tłı̨chǫ Government asked media to respect the privacy of evacuees and to not interrupt staff and volunteers as they work to provide services at the facilities, which are running at capacity.
The Tłı̨chǫ Government stated that media will not be permitted inside reception centres, including the Fieldhouse and Multiplex, and that evacuee interviews will need to be screened first.
Stated a release: “Please respect that this is a stressful situation and evacuees likely will not engage (with media). Do not wait by reception centre entrances to ask for interviews.”
CKLB’s policy is to respect the Indigenous residents in these situations and to only speak with people who come forward to us.
At Fort Providence, Tuesday’s ignition operation to counter FS014 (20,362 hectares, “has been successfully completed,” stated NWT Fire.
Vegetation has been removed from the fire guard to the north of the community, northwards to the head of the wildfire, stated NWT Fire.
“Crews are mopping up the ignition line from the edge of the fire guard and this work will continue through (today) to secure the line,” reads a release.
“Aircraft have worked to cool the edge down closest to the community. Water cannons and sprinklers at the edge of the community remain in place and will continue to run as a contingency.”
And Fire SS014 (102,270 hectares) that threatened Jean Marie River has been “aggressively fought over the last few weeks,” and the line has held even under extreme wind conditions.
While assisting with emergency operations in Fort Providence, detachment commander Corporal Kevin Devoe “has been going above and beyond his duties” by feeding and caring for dogs left behind during the evacuation, stated the force on social media.
“Corporal Devoe, an avid dog-lover, has been endeavoring to provide food to stranded canines as well as updates to evacuated dog owners where he can in between his regular duties,” stated the post. “Thanks Corporal Devoe, for showing us that looking after a community doesn’t mean just the two-legged members!”
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- Over 600 evacuees have registered at the Hay River Community Centre. (Photo: Town of Hay River)
The Town of Hay River, already hosting more than 600 evacuees from Fort Providence, stated it’s proud to be supporting wildfire structural protection needs for Fort Providence.
Members of the Hay River Fire Department trained in Wildland Urban Interface protection are on site with equipment.
“We thank the members for being on scene to help our Fort Providence neighbours,” stated a social media post.
Replied NWT Fire: “We deeply appreciate the assistance of Fire Chief Travis Wright and the Town of Hay River, NT’s Fire Department members who have been crucial support for keeping Fort Providence safe.”