Articles by Ian Down

Environment, Featured, News August 31, 2023

WILDFIRE UPDATE, AUG. 31, 7:30 P.M.: “The calm before the storm today—literally.”

Extreme fire conditions expected in the North and South Slave on Friday.


Thursday was “the calm before the storm today—literally” for fires in the North Slave, according to Fire NWT. Strong winds and hot temperatures are forecast for Friday, which is expected to cause extreme fire behaviour from the North Slave Complex of fires. Near Hay River, Friday is also forecast to…

Environment, Featured, News August 29, 2023

Wildfire update, AUG. 29 8:00 p.m.: Yellowknife begins inviting essential workers back

Nearest fire still classified as "being held."


Yellowknife is currently in the third phase of the GNWT’s five-phase reopening plan, which is to begin calling back essential workers and essential businesses. The plan was first unveiled at a press conference on Monday afternoon. It consists of making sure the community is safe; Checking for damage and identifying…

Environment, Featured, News, Weather August 28, 2023

Wildfire update, Aug. 28 7:00 p.m.: YK fire “being held” as GNWT rolls out five-part return plan

No date has yet been set for re-entry.


Update: A previous version of this article quoted a fire information officer as stating there had been new fire damage to Paradise Gardens and Patterson Road. Another fire information officer now says this information was given in error, and there was no new damage to Paradise Gardens or Patterson Road….

Environment, Featured, News, Weather August 25, 2023

Wildfire update, Aug. 25 9:30 p.m.: Hay River prepares for worst as wildfire situation takes a turn

Meanwhile, finance minister announces suite of new financial supports.


The Town of Hay River is preparing for the worst tonight as the fire situation takes a negative turn. That’s according to updates shared at the most recent GNWT press conference. On Friday, extreme temperatures and winds from the southwest pushed the fire towards the community. Nonessential personnel are being…

Featured, News August 24, 2023

Wildfire update: Aug. 24, 9:00 p.m.: Jean Marie River residents can return home, while Hay River prepares for ‘tough days ahead’

Hot conditions, unfavourable winds in the forecast for Hay River, Fort Smith areas.


Residents of Jean Marie River can now return home, while Hay River is preparing for “tough days ahead” over the next few days, according to NWT Fire. Hot conditions are forecast, and winds are expected to push the fire toward the town. The Town promised to publicly release a plan…

Community, Environment, Events, Featured, News August 23, 2023

Wildfire update, Aug. 23 9:00 p.m.: RCMP able but reluctant to enforce evacuation orders

Violators could face one year in custody or a $5,000 fine.


As the wildfire crisis drags on in the Northwest Territories, police say they are reluctant to use their powers to enforce evacuation orders. That’s according to a press conference hosted by GNWT officials earlier this evening. The evacuation orders have been rewritten to emphasise the RCMP have the power to…

Community, Environment, Featured, News August 21, 2023

‘We’re gonna get through this:’ Enterprise SAO says 80 per cent of his community is gone

Blair Porter is confident his community will come back stronger than ever.


Blair Porter is confident his community will rebuild. That’s a tall order, considering how little of it is left. Porter, the SAO for the Hamlet of Enterprise, estimates about 80 per cent of his home community was burned to the ground when wildfire tore through the area. “They let us…

Community, Environment, Featured, News August 19, 2023

Wildfire update, Aug. 19: Overnight rain makes for “status quo” day in Yellowknife

Difficult conditions are on the way for the N.W.T. capital.


Some light rain overnight made for a “status quo” wildfire day in the Yellowknife region on Saturday, with the nearest fire remaining about 15 km from the NWT capital. On Saturday evening, the GNWT hosted a press conference on the state of the wildfire situation that included Premier Caroline Cochrane,…