Wildfire

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,…

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, Weather June 7, 2023

Residents return to KFN, while wildfire approaches Sambaa K’e

"My heart goes out to everyone that lost their homes," says KFN Chief April Martel


After weeks of fear and uncertainty, residents of Kátł’odeeche First Nation (KFN) are starting to return home. In a message posted to social media on June 6, KFN said residents could once again start returning to the community. Power, water and sewer services have not yet been restored. Returning residents…

Community, Environment, Featured, News, Weather May 25, 2023

Hay River prepares to re-open, while the fires rage on

Residents of Hay River may be able to return this week, while KFN residents await a re-entry plan


Hay River residents are expected to return home as early as May 26, although the possibility of evacuation remains. That is according to the town of Hay River in a post on its official Facebook page. While Hay River Residents prepare to return home, over 300 members from Kátł’odeeche First Nation…