Convoy planning to break N.W.T. evacuation order urged to stay away as state of emergency extended

globalnews.ca:

Northwest Territories have been out of their homes for a few weeks now and some people appear to be getting fed up and are planning to break the evacuation order.The Northwest Territories RCMP said it’s received information about a group of people who may be planning an unsupported return to Yellowknife.Mounties said the group of people are planning to re-enter in the territory in as many as 50 vehicles from Alberta and that “they will not stop for the checkpoints.”“The information we’ve received to date is that it’s in the planning phase as opposed to a bunch of vehicles on the road,” Cpl. Matt Halstead, a media relations officer with the Northwest Territories RCMP, told Global News on Wednesday.“We wanted to basically get out in front of it and try and discourage that type of activity.”The RCMP and territorial officials said they strongly discourage any resident from returning as the evacuation orders and territory-wide state of emergency remain in effect.It is not safe to return and police said those not approved for re-entry will be turned away.Halstead explained the roads, even the main highway, in the north are not like a typical Alberta freeway with several lanes and a wide shoulder.“We have a very narrow roadway that we rely on for support for our firefighting activities right now.