Members of the Canadian Armed Forces are set to be mobilized in the Northwest Territories today as wildfires threaten communities, including the capital, and hundreds of people have been airlifted to safety.
The military is expected to send a helicopter and Twin Otter airplane along with 124 soldiers, with 100 set to help with firefighting tasks such as dousing hot spots and clearing areas, and the other 24 co-ordinating logistics.
The City of Yellowknife declared a state of local emergency Monday night, citing an imminent wildfire threat.
It said in a tweet that such declarations are made when it is determined additional powers are needed to take immediate action, such as taking over the use of vehicles or property to respond to an emergency or authorizing qualified people to provide services or aid.
On Tuesday evening, the city issued an evacuation alert for some areas of the city.
Residents in the Kam Lake Industrial Area, Grace Lake area and Engle Business District were asked to prepare for a potential evacuation.
The city said in a Facebook post that residents will be given as much advanced notice as possible prior to an evacuation but emphasized notice may be limited due to rapidly changing conditions.
There are currently over 230 active wildfires in the territory, and five communities have been evacuated.
More than 21,000 square kilometres have burned so far this year.
Evacuee reception centre opening in St. Alberta
On Tuesday afternoon, the government of the Northwest Territories provided updated directions for people fleeing the fires.
In a Facebook post, the government said a new designated wildfire evacuee reception centre was being set up north of Edmonton in the city of St. Albert.
Evacuees headed to Grande Prairie were asked to change their travel plans and to head to St. Albert instead. The St. Albert reception centre is being set up at Servus Place at 400 Campbell Rd.
In a post on the city’s website, St. Alberta officials said they were “registering evacuees who have not previously registered, updating existing registrations and arranging lodging and transportation.”
People who do not have a vehicle to get to St. Albert but are able to get to Grande Prairie were being asked to head to the Grande Prairie reception centre at the Alliance Church at 15502 102 St. so they could be transported by bus as that centre was set to close later on Tuesday.
“Any evacuees who were flown to Fort McMurray are good to stay in Fort McMurray,” the government of the Northwest Territories said. “You do not have to relocate to St. Albert if you are currently in Fort McMurray.”
–With files from Global News.
Comments