'Significant' structure damage in Enterprise; wildfire hasn't yet reached Fort Smith
CBC
Northwest Territories fire officials say a wildfire has reached the community of Enterprise, but the full extent of the damage is still unclear.
The Town of Hay River reported at 10:30 a.m. Monday that there was "significant structure damage" in the hamlet, as well as in the Patterson Road area and in parts of Paradise Gardens.
"We need to regroup this morning and the number one priority for all responders right now is getting everyone out safe," said Mike Westwick, fire information officer with the N.W.T. government.
"We just don't have exact information on structural damage. However, we understand it occurs and we understand that it's difficult to not have exact answers for folks."
On Sunday, most of the communities in the South Slave region were ordered to evacuate due to multiple wildfires either directly threatening communities, or threatening to close the highways that connect them to the rest of the territory.
As of Monday morning, Fort Smith, Salt River First Nation, Hay River, Kátł'odeeche First Nation, Enterprise, and Jean Marie River were all under evacuation orders. Kakisa remains under an evacuation alert.
Highways 2 and 5 were closed entirely Monday, while the portion of Highway 1 between Kakisa and Hay River was also closed, according to the N.W.T.'s highway conditions map.
This video, posted by Jordan Evoy on Facebook early Monday morning, shows him driving through Enterprise, N.W.T. A warning, it contains strong language.
As of Monday morning, the residents still in Fort Smith, N.W.T., a town of about 2,600 right above the Alberta border, were safe, said Adam McNab, the community's emergency management coordinator.
Speaking on CBC North's The Trailbreaker, McNab said about 70 people remain in the community, not including those working on the fire and other essential service workers.
"We have opened up a shelter-in-place location at the recreation centre and will be moving people here, even if they aren't willing to leave the community," he said.
"As far as I'm aware, very fortunately, nobody has been hurt and we are working hard to keep it that way."
McNab added that the fire had not yet reached Fort Smith.
Fort Smith issued an evacuation order on Saturday as a wildfire threatened to cut off Highway 5, its only route connecting the community to the rest of the N.W.T.
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