Hay River, N.W.T., residents who haven't fled yet told to head for the airport as new blaze closes highway
CBC
For the second time this summer, residents of Hay River, N.W.T., are fleeing a nearby wildfire; this comes as the community was hosting evacuees from Fort Smith fleeing their own wildfire.
Those who have not left Hay River yet were told at 7:15 p.m. Sunday night to head for the airport instead of driving out. A fire has started near Paradise Gardens and Garden Road, affecting traffic from Hay River to Enterprise.
"Hay River residents should evacuate to the Hay River airport for transport by air," the town wrote in a Facebook post.
"If there becomes a need to shelter in place, the Hay River Airport is the designated location."
Hay River, a town of about 3,500 residents on the southern shore of Great Slave Lake, is one of five N.W.T. communities evacuating Sunday as wildfires, blown by heavy winds, threaten them.
Residents of K'atl'odeeche First Nation and Enterprise are also being ordered to leave.
Residents remaining in Fort Smith, N.W.T. are being told by the town's emergency management co-ordinator to shelter in place as the fire may reach the west end of the community Sunday night.
Wood Buffalo National Park posted on their Facebook page that the fire is expected to reach within five kilometres of the community's west end by midnight.
N.W.T. Fire and the Town of Hay River are telling evacuees to travel to Alberta, in Facebook posts on Sunday afternoon.
Rita and Bill Plunkett left their home in K'atl'odeeche First Nation Sunday, heading to Grande Prairie. They said it's the third time they've had to leave. The reserve was evacuated in May, and last year residents had to flee floodwaters.
"Hoping it's going to be safe," Rita Plunkett said. "It's just hard when you look back there, to see all the fire, the redness, the darkness ... It just makes you feel like you're in another world."
Bill Plunkett said the situation has been overwhelming. The couple was in Enterprise south of Hay River earlier in the day. Shortly after getting home, they were told to pack up and leave the reserve.
"We still have to think positive," Rita said. "The positive thing is that everybody's safe."
N.W.T. officials said last week this was the worst wildfire season the territory has experienced on record.
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