Articles by Ian Down

Environment, Featured, News August 16, 2023

Wildfire update, August 16 5:40 p.m.: Several medical services suspended, reduced in Yellowknife

The fire threatening the NWT capital was 17 kilometres away at last estimate.


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…

Environment, Featured, News August 15, 2023

Wildfire update, August 15 5:30 p.m.: GNWT declares state of emergency as fire ravages South Slave

The minister responsible for ECC previously told reporters the territory had all the resources it needed without declaring a state of emergency


The NWT’s Minister Responsible for Environment and Climate Change has declared a territory-wide state of emergency. A notice of the declaration was sent out shortly after 5:30 on Tuesday, Aug. 15. The purpose of the declaration, according to a press release, is “to allow the Government of the Northwest Territories…

Community, Environment, Featured, News August 3, 2023

‘It feels good to be home’: Rae residents can now return to their community

The community had been evacuated for 11 days due to wildfire


After 11 days away from home, residents of Rae were finally allowed to return home this morning. The Tłı̨chǫ Government announced on Wednesday evening that residents could return home just after 10 a.m. this morning, but power will not be restored until 2 a.m. this afternoon. The community was first…

Community, Environment, Featured, News July 13, 2023

KFN still hasn’t applied for disaster relief funding

KFN has not applied for federal funding that would cover 100 per cent of eligible costs


Update (July 18, 5:45): This story has been updated to reflect new information from Indigenous Services Canada. Two months after fire devastated K’atl’odeeche First Nation (KFN), the community’s administration still has not applied for federal disaster relief funding, and no funding is coming from the GNWT. Disaster relief funding is…

Community, Environment, Featured, News July 4, 2023

Residents of Sambaa K’e, Wekweètì returning home, but fire risk remains

Wekweètì was evacuated last week, while residents of Sambaa K'e were stranded away from home for more than a month


Residents of two N.W.T. communities threatened by wildfire are finally returning home. Sambaa K’e residents were given the green light to return home over the weekend. And residents of Wekweètì have two options for flights to bring them home from Yellowknife this week: The first Air Tindi flight leaves this…

Community, Environment, Featured, News June 30, 2023

Wekweètì residents evacuated due to wildfires

Two planes carried away dozens of residents as three fires threaten the community.


Residents of Wekweeti have been evacuated as a trio of wildfires threatens the community. The evacuation took place yesterday afternoon, when two planes arrived in the community to take fleeing residents to Yellowknife. About 47 people were on board the two planes, including many Elders and other vulnerable residents, according…