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Yellowknifers urged to remain calm, but prepared, amid wildfire fears

Some may call it an abundance of precaution, others describe it as panic setting in, but many Yellowknifers are taking action in response to the perceived threat of wildfires.
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Lineups stretched in multiple directions at the Co-op gas bar on Sunday afternoon. Jill Westerman/NNSL photo

Some may call it an abundance of precaution, others describe it as panic setting in, but many Yellowknifers are taking action in response to the perceived threat of wildfires.

Motorists make their way out of Yellowknife on Sunday. Contributed photo
Motorists make their way out of Yellowknife on Sunday. Contributed photo

Yet the city and territorial government insist the capital of the NWT is currently not in harmSA国际影视传媒檚 way.

Under ashen skies and acrid smoke, long lineups formed at gas stations around the city today and a heavy flow of outbound vehicles lined the highway going out of town.

Strong winds from the westSA国际影视传媒 reaching speeds up to 60 km/h SA国际影视传媒 have kicked up a lot of activity from fires surrounding Yellowknife, according to NWT Fire information officer Mike Westwick on Sunder afternoon.

However, the only places in the North Slave region under evacuation alert are North Prosperous Lake, North Predude Lake and River Lake, where homeowners and cabin owners have been advised that they may be ordered to leave as of 8 a.m. on Monday morning. But, as of Sunday, the blaze is not expected to reach the Ingraham Trail.

SA国际影视传媒淎ir tankers have been deployed as visibility permits, and good work has been done throughout the day,SA国际影视传媒 Westwick said.

An operation is planned for Monday in the general area of Jennejohn Lake, where vegetation will be deliberately burned to prevent the blaze from reaching Dettah and the Ingraham Trail.

Westwick reminded residents to a stay safe and stay informed.

City SA国际影视传媒榥ot at riskSA国际影视传媒

The City of Yellowknife issued another assurance to residents early Sunday evening.

SA国际影视传媒淒espite the increasingly smoky conditions, our community is not currently at risk due to the ongoing wildfires,SA国际影视传媒 a news release reads.

The municipality and its contractors continue to expand firebreaks and install sprinklers as precautionary measures.

SA国际影视传媒淭he city is proactively working with the GNWT and other partners at this time to monitor and assess risk and take precautionary measures,SA国际影视传媒 the statement reads.

Residents are encouraged to respect the fire ban and refrain from throwing cigarette butts or using equipment that causes sparks, such as all-terrain vehicles and dirt bikes, in areas with brush.

The citySA国际影视传媒檚 website has more information on how to make properties less susceptible to fire.

Emergency preparedness tips are available at:

Andrew Lowry loads a couple of jerry cans. He was among numerous Yellowknifers at the gas pumps on Sunday as worries grow over wildfires. Kaicheng Xin/NNSL photo
Andrew Lowry loads a couple of jerry cans. He was among numerous Yellowknifers at the gas pumps on Sunday as worries grow over wildfires. Kaicheng Xin/NNSL photo

Meanwhile, Andrew Lowry was among the clusters of Yellowknifers fueling up their vehicles.

SA国际影视传媒淓veryone is kind of like, a fire is coming, obviously. So everyone wants to get prepared for it just in case it comes into the town,SA国际影视传媒 he said.

He added that although he wasnSA国际影视传媒檛 panicked, he must be prepared.





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