Environment

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,…

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…

Environment, Featured, News August 10, 2023

Rio Tinto to Build Largest Solar Power Plant in the Territories

Rio Tinto is constructing a solar power plant to supply its needs during the closure phase


Rio Tinto plans to build the largest solar power plant in the North at the Diavik Diamond Mine to supply its needs until closure, according to a recent press release. The plant will feature 6,600 advanced bi-facial solar panels, capturing both direct sunlight and reflected light from the snowy terrain,…

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…