Essential workers continue to arrive in Yellowknife Monday, as government staff prepare to give another update on the wildfire situation across the N.W.T.
A spokesperson for the territorial government said the panel during the 4 p.m. MT press conference would consist of operational staff only — and no elected officials would be attending.
Residents are making plans to head back to the N.W.T. capital, with the evacuation order set to be lifted at noon Wednesday. It’ll be replaced by an evacuation alert.
The return journey is a massive logistical undertaking — with residents deciding whether to make the journey back on flights organized by the territorial government, or by vehicle. Officials have warned wildfire and weather conditions may cause delays on the highway, and that once people get home, some services will be lacking.
Elsewhere, recent rain in the N.W.T.’s South Slave region dampened massive wildfires burning near Hay River and Fort Smith, though officials say hot, dry conditions are expected to return later this week.
We’ve compiled a Q + A where we’ve answered people’s questions about the return. You can also send us your questions at [email protected].
We will share live updates from Monday afternoon’s news conference below. They’ll appear in descending order, from newest to oldest. Refresh your browser for the latest updates.
4:15 p.m.: Luke Carroll, a reporter with CBC North, asks about people who are being asked to leave their hotels on Sept 5. Boast says the hotels are private businesses and N.W.T. evacuees are guests, but also says the territorial government was able to respond quickly and ensure everyone has accommodations.
4:13 p.m.: Speaking about Fort Smith, Westwick said crews have also managed to hold the fire from reaching the community. “It was a well organized defence under really challenging conditions.” Westwick reminds people its still not safe to return to Fort Smith.
4:12 p.m.: Westwick says they’ve managed to protect structures in Hay River despite high wind conditions and the fire’s close proximity to the town. He says rain will help allow crews to put in more protections around the town.
But Westwick says there are more dry conditions coming. “We have hot, deep burning fire” near the community, he said.
4:10 p.m: For those driving home in the coming days: Westwick says there will be highway crews on Highway 1 for the foreseeable future. He says this means people need to be careful while driving.
4:08 p.m.: Mike Westwick, an N.W.T. fire information officer, says there is good news for those from Yellowknife, Dettah, Ndilǫ and the Ingraham Trail. He says two fires in the area remain held and that there isn’t expected to be any dangerous conditions along the highway over the next three days.
4:07 p.m.: Boast says there will be one flight out of Winnipeg and out of Whitehorse on Thursday, because of the low numbers of people in both communities.
Boast also talks about people who were kicked out of their hotels in Calgary. You can read more about that here.
4:06 p.m.: – Boast, speaking about the return to Yellowknife, says there will be supports along the highway to ensure a safe drive back.
4:05 p.m.: Jay Boast, information officer for the N.W.T. Emergency Management Organization, starts the news conference by saying the recent rain in the South Slave region are “welcoming” and “promising” but reminds people it’s still not safe to return.
The territorial government has provided the following links for residents: