Mass Evacuations Underway!

As the day dawns on Tuesday, over 1,000 residents in two North West Territories (NWT) communities are racing against time under urgent evacuation orders. The wildfire SS014, which started in early July, has ominously crept within just a kilometer of Fort Providence, forcing nearly all residents to evacuate. Thankfully, firefighters are still on the ground to protect the community.

Fire Situation Update: What's Next?

Despite the close call, NWT Fire reports that the flames did not significantly advance toward Fort Providence on Monday. Good news for the residents! No homes have been reported lost as of yet. We await a crucial update from NWT Fire at 2 PM today, with favorable winds predicted to bring only minor changes until then.

What’s Happening in Nearby Communities?

Meanwhile, the situation remains tense in Whatì, where the fire ZF048 is hovering seven kilometers from the community airstrip. Troops of firefighters are hard at work to establish an expanded fire break, enhancing the protection of vulnerable structures. However, a risk remains until a full assessment of the fire perimeter is completed.

Evacuation Centers Mobilizing!

Evacuation centers in Yellowknife, Behchokǫ̀, and Hay River are prepared to accommodate evacuees fleeing the flames from both Fort Providence and Whatì. It’s been a chaotic week as Whatì ordered its evacuation on Friday and Fort Providence followed suit on Sunday.

Access Issues: The Road Situation

As of this morning, Highway 3—vital for connecting Yellowknife and Behchokǫ̀ to the south—is operational. However, routes to Whatì and access to Fort Providence remain shut off.

More Trouble for Jean Marie River!

In a worrying development, wildfire FS014 is once again threatening Jean Marie River, a community already on evacuation notice multiple times this summer. It faces a critical third evacuation alert this year as winds are expected to assist with air drops aimed at curtailing the fire's advance, currently just 15 km away.

Local Fires: Yellowknife's Tin Can Hill

Even in Yellowknife, the fire battle continues. A small wildfire broke out on Tin Can Hill, prompting the arrival of helicopter support after local firefighters were unable to reach the blaze.

Stay Informed: Updates Coming In!

We’ll be on the ground throughout Tuesday, providing live updates from NWT Fire, local government, and community members. If you have information, photos, or videos to share, feel free to reach out at [email protected]. Just a reminder: Only capture footage when it's safe to do so!