Evacuation orders for parts of Northwest Territories; residents airlifted away from threat of wildfires

The Government of the Northwest Territories issued insistent warnings on Monday advising residents to evacuate Hay River and Fort Smith immediately as wildfires spread near the communities.

The Government of the Northwest Territories issued insistent warnings on Monday advising residents to evacuate Hay River and Fort Smith as wildfires spread near the communities.

Residents were urged to avoid driving on local highways and to head to their local airport immediately as conditions were expected to get worse.

“Conditions are dangerous and will continue to worsen. Highway travel is not an option as a way out,” the government’s evacuation orders read.

“Your safest way out is on the plane, NOW. GO TO THE AIRPORT NOW.”

All long-term care residents had been transported to Yellowknife by Monday morning, while other residents were being airlifted from the Hay River airport to Grand Prairie, Alta., and Fort McMurray, Alta., according to the Town of Hay River.

The municipality said four helicopters and water bombers were headed for the community on Monday in an effort to put out the flames, which travelled approximately 39 kilometres towards Hay River on Sunday “due to high winds.”