Canada Wildfires ignite emergency measures: Northwest territories battle unrelenting blazes, evacuations underway

economictimes.indiatimes.com:

Northwest Territories has compelled authorities to issue urgent evacuation orders and declare a state of emergency, with particular concern mounting for the capital city of Yellowknife.

The state of emergency designation has enabled the allocation of increased resources to combat the more than 230 active fires currently ravaging regions across the Northwest Territories. Shane Thompson, the Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs, emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating, «We find ourselves in a crisis situation and our government is using every tool available to assist.»

Yellowknife's mayor promptly declared a local state of emergency, swiftly followed by evacuation orders for vulnerable areas as the encroaching fires posed an imminent threat. In addition to Yellowknife, the cities of Ndilo, Dettah, and Ingram Trail have been placed under evacuation orders, as confirmed by Northwest Territories officials. Those unable to evacuate by road have been given the option to register for evacuation flights set to commence on Thursday.

Specifically, residents living along the Ingraham Trail, as well as in Dettah, Kam Lake, Grace Lake, and the Engle Business District, are urged to evacuate immediately due to heightened risk. Other residents have been given until noon on Friday, August 18, 2023, to evacuate, according to official communications.

The situation escalated rapidly, leading to the declaration of an evacuation order for much of the South Slave region, including the town of Hay River, during the preceding weekend. Officials also reported the