- Massive Wildfire Approaching Canadian City, Evacuations Underway
- Yellowknife Faces Urgent Evacuation Threat Amid Record Wildfires
- Unprecedented Wildfire Situation Grips Canada, With Northwest Territories in Danger
Canada is experiencing a record number of wildfires, with more than 1,000 active blazes spanning over 8,000 miles. Officials are concerned that a fire could reach Yellowknife, a city of 20,000 people, by the weekend.
A massive wildfire is approaching a significant city in Canada’s Northwest Territories, prompting the evacuation of thousands of residents.
Thursday marks the beginning of air evacuations for the most vulnerable, and officials say there is a “safe window” for everyone else to flee Yellowknife by road.
The capital has a population of 20,000, and forecasts indicate that the wildfire could reach the city’s boundaries by the weekend if it does not rain.
Canada is experiencing a record number of wildfires, with more than 1,000 active blazes spanning over 8,000 miles.
As of last night’s late hours, one of these fires was within 11 miles (17 kilometers) of Yellowknife. Authorities have issued a warning that the flood is expected to reach Highway 3 today, the only major artery connecting the city to the rest of Canada.
Residents have until Friday at noon to vacate the premises.
The Territories have proclaimed a state of emergency, and the Canadian military has been activated to assist in fighting the fires.
Environment minister Shane Thompson stated, “I want to make it clear that the city is not in imminent danger and there is a safe window for residents to leave the city by road and by air.”
Without precipitation, it may reach the city’s fringes by this weekend.
Over 200 wildfires have forced roughly 6,800 Northwest Territories residents to evacuate.
Premier Caroline Cochrane urged the public to stay calm and warned that fires could close highways quickly.
“I’ve never seen so many vehicles leaving a town,” she said.
Various rumours are circulating but be prepared to evacuate if necessary. Be still. Do not be alarmed!”
Another fire is menacing the Hay River community. As the fire approaches, teams are attempting to evacuate 3,000 people by bus and plane.
Western Canada’s hot wave broke 19 daily temperature records on Tuesday and fueled hundreds of wildfires.
This year, fires have engulfed 12 of Canada’s 13 provinces and territories, forcing residential evacuations, disrupting oil and gas production, and drawing federal and international firefighting resources.
