Wildfires

Environment, Featured, News, Politics, Reconciliation, Transportation, Weather, Wildfires October 17, 2024

‘We are in a dire situation right now,’ says Deputy Premier Caroline Wawzonek

Low water levels this year, climate change overall draining NWT's coffers; Sahtu region in pricing crisis as winter approaches


The Members of the Legislative Assembly were back in session Thursday after their summer break. And the “humanitarian crisis” in the Sahtu region, especially with cost-of-living and fuel shortages in Norman Wells, MLAs entered into and emergency debate following a motion by Range Lake MLA Kieron Testart. At the time…

Featured, News, Wildfires October 16, 2024

Better assessment of tree hazards, tougher protective gear, needed for wildland firefighters

NWT Chief Coroner Garth Eggenberger issues nine recommendations following the death of Adam Yeadon near his home of Fort Liard last July


The territory’s Chief Coroner Garth Eggenberger has issued nine recommendations for the GNWT’s Department of Environment and Climate Change following the death of wildland firefighter Adam Yeadon on July 15, 2023. The 25-year old died battling a blaze near after being hit by a falling tree his home community of…

Culture, Featured, Health, News, Wildfires September 23, 2024

New trauma informed healing lodge for the Northwest Territories delayed until 2026

Dene Wellness Warrirors co-owner Roy Erasmus tells 15th Annual Voices for Peace Symposium counsellors are still being trained


The damage done by the devastating wildfires of 2023 continues to impact the health of the Northwest Territories, delaying the opening of a trauma-informed healing centre in the South Slave region. Not only is the former treatment centre on the Kátł’odeeche First Nation being used by the band after its…

Environment, Featured, News, Transportation, Wildfires September 17, 2024

Wildfires, weather, seniors and space junk all covered by Yellowknife’s new emergency and evacuation plans

Attention needed to ensure safe and culturally appropriate evacuation measures for First Nation Elders, states the report


“But I’ve seen this myself … Elders from Northern communities were scavenging the (hotel) hallways eating (room service) leftovers, because they had no other assistance available.” – An evacuee told a KPMG public forum in March Should the capital region be evacuated again for a disaster of any type, particular…

Featured, News, Politics, Weather, Wildfires August 28, 2024

GNWT scorched in critical report over response to 2023 wildfires

Environment and Climate Change Dep't was unable to cope with unprecedented situation; many improvements already made for this year


Misinformation from the public, poor internal communications, contractors “exploiting” the emergency, casual firefighters showing up drunk or high, and a lot of on-the-job stress and subsequent mental health issues were some of the previously unknown aspects from last year’s wildfire season. A 212-page review of NWT’s Environment and Climate Change…

Environment, Featured, History, News, Wildfires August 27, 2024

First independent look behind the scenes of GNWT’s handling of 2023 wildfires out Wednesday

'It is our job as leaders to learn from the challenges we faced in an emergency of this scale and put those lessons to work,' says Minister Jay Macdonald


One-half of the territorial government’s “biggest after-action review” into the historic wildfire season last year will be released tomorrow at noon. Prior to that, there will be a 30-minute media availability with staff members to answer technical questions regarding the review based on an embargoed report sent to media today….

Featured, News, Wildfires August 20, 2024

Délı̨nę̨ under evacuation notice as wind expected to push fire closer

Extreme northwest winds of up to 70km/h are expected throughout today


The Délı̨nę Got’ı̨nę Government issued an evacuation notice on Monday evening as a precautionary measure due to a wildfire near the Great Bear River. “There are strong winds predicted over the next day that may cause the fire to spread,” reads a release by the community government. NWT Fire says…

Environment, Featured, Health, News, Weather, Wildfires August 18, 2024

When will wildfire smoke clear? Don’t hold your breath

As warmer, drier conditions return, smoky winds will push from the south until mid-week


Many areas in the NWT experienced cooler temperatures late last week, which was been helpful in limiting extreme fire growth. However, fire crews are now preparing as the weather fluctuates, NWT Fire stated on Sunday afternoon. Dana Bowen is with the Department of Environment and Climate Change. “There are currently…

Featured, News, Weather, Wildfires August 16, 2024

Jet-setting Indigenous input into Northern climate change

NASA/GNWT study looks at increased frequency and intensity of wildfires, which may be occurring faster than forests can recover


Representatives from the Tłı̨chǫ region and Yellowknives Dene First Nation participated in a NASA climate change research flight aboard a NASA jet today. The Arctic-Boreal Vulnerability Experiment is a long-term collaboration between the Government of the Northwest Territories and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). The goal is a better…

Featured, News, Transportation, Weather, Wildfires August 14, 2024

Rain will throw cold water on ‘massive’ wildfire growth in southern regions

‘There is finally a break from extreme heat and high winds in much of the NWT,' says NWT Fire


The rain currently falling in some regions will help limit some of the massive fire growth experienced over the weekend, says NWT Fire. There are several large wildfires still burning in the Dehcho and South Slave regions and smoke will be pushed into various communities, depending on the winds. The…