A state of emergency in the Northwest Territories has been extended until Sept. 11 and its premier says she understands the frustration of those forced from their homes.

SA国际影视传媒淚 want to go home, too. We all want to go home. ItSA国际影视传媒檚 hard being evacuated,SA国际影视传媒� Premier Caroline Cochrane said Wednesday following a visit to an Edmonton evacuation centre alongside federal ministers Randy Boissonnault and Dan Vandal, Alberta Forestry Minister Todd Loewen and Edmonton Mayor Amarjeet Sohi.

SA国际影视传媒淲e canSA国际影视传媒檛 control fire. We canSA国际影视传媒檛 control the wind and temperature, so weSA国际影视传媒檝e got high temperatures still in the North,SA国际影视传媒� said Cochrane.

SA国际影视传媒淲hat ISA国际影视传媒檓 telling people is as soon as itSA国际影视传媒檚 safe to go home, as soon as the fireSA国际影视传媒檚 in control, then it will take about four or five days at least.SA国际影视传媒�

The territorial government declared the state of emergency on Aug. 15 as wildfires threatened several communities, including the capital, Yellowknife.

The move was meant to allow the government to marshal the resources it needed to protect the health and safety of residents during an unprecedented wildfire season.

Officials said earlier this week that the fire burning outside Yellowknife was being held, but it was still not safe to return.

Nearly 70 per cent of the territorySA国际影视传媒檚 population SA国际影视传媒� including 20,000 Yellowknifers SA国际影视传媒� are seeking refuge in Alberta and beyond until the danger has subsided.

Cochrane said her government has to make sure the power, the airports, the hospitals, grocery stores and gas stations are functioning and SA国际影视传媒渢hen we will bring people home.SA国际影视传媒�

She confirmed police are still turning back residents attempting to return and that has to stop.

SA国际影视传媒淲eSA国际影视传媒檙e all evacuated and people are tired. They want to be home, but itSA国际影视传媒檚 really important that people not try to go home until theySA国际影视传媒檙e called, until itSA国际影视传媒檚 time, because not only do you put yourself at risk, youSA国际影视传媒檙e actually putting our first responders at risk.SA国际影视传媒�

Vandal, the federal Northern Affairs minister, said his government will continue to provide support as long as required. He also pointed to the co-operation of the federal, provincial and municipal governments during this disaster.

SA国际影视传媒淭his is unprecedented. I think in times of need Canadians help one another and we were all together today. WeSA国际影视传媒檝e all been working together from the very beginning,SA国际影视传媒� he said.

Vandal said heSA国际影视传媒檚 spoken to territory residents who have been away from home for the past two weeks who are in good spirits but are anxious to go home.

READ ALSO:

READ ALSO: