Yellowknifers head to Alberta as serious wildfire conditions continue

CBC News | Posted: August 17, 2023 2:40 PM | Last Updated: August 17, 2023

Evacuees directed to Valleyview, Fox Creek or Red Deer, Alta.

Image | Gas lineup at Fort Providence

Caption: Vehicles line up for gas at Big River gas station in Fort Providence around 8 a.m. Thursday. The community is usually a three-hour drive south of Yellowknife though some drivers reported waiting hours in heavy traffic out of Yellowknife. (Graham Shishkov/CBC)

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Yellowknifers are fleeing the city as wildfires approach and the situation continues to change rapidly.

Extreme conditions persisted where the fire is burning west of the city. Fire information officer Mike Westwick told CBC News that rain in the forecast Thursday will not be enough to quell the fire.

WATCH | Mike Westwick gives the latest on the fires Thursday morning:

Media Video | N.W.T. fires: Here's what officials said early Thursday

Caption: Mike Westwick, the fire information officer for Yellowknife, gave an update on what officials know about the wildfires as of Thursday morning. Westwick urged people to follow the direction of officials, saying 'our team on the ground is doing absolutely everything possible.'

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Yellowknife evacuees traveling by road are being asked, so far as is possible, to arrange for their own accommodations but those in need of supports and accommodations in Alberta can receive these supports in the following communities:

Valleyview: Palace Arena : 4429, 52e Avenue.
Fox Creek: Fox Creek Hall, 200 1st Street.
Red Deer: G.H. Dawe Community Centre, 6175 67 St.

CBC News staff based in Yellowknife are also heading south, and reporting good driving conditions, despite heavy traffic Wednesday night.

One staffer who left around 10:30 p.m. reported driving just 30 kilometres in four hours en route to Fort Providence. Another, who left at 4:45 a.m. Thursday said he met with smooth sailing and by 8 a.m. was waiting in line at the Big River gas station in Fort Providence for gas. Despite rumours that the station is running short of gas, manager Linda Croft told CBC News Thursday morning that the station has ample gas and does not expect to run out.

But the distances are enormous. The closest evacuee reception centre is over 1,100 kilometres from Yellowknife.

Embed | Evacuee reception centres

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Shane Thompson, N.W.T.'s minister of municipal and community affairs, told CBC News Network that the Northern Store and the Snowshoe Inn in Fort Providence ran out of gas on Wednesday, but reiterated that Big River station has fuel.

The territory says it's aware that people may experience gas shortages along the highway, and that it's working to make sure gas is available to residents. It says gas is available in Fort Providence, and once you cross the border to Alberta there's gas in Steen River, Meander River and High Level.

Preparing for emergencies and packing the essentials you may need in Yellowknife and elsewhere

Yellowknife begins evacuation as wildfires approach

In town, the Yellowknife Coop and Gas Bar is open, but says it will be closing at noon.

Sutherlands Drugs says it will remain open until further notice.

As of around 9 a.m. Thursday morning, the gas stations at the Circle K and Monkey Tree were closed. The uptown Independent grocery store was closed, and the downtown Independent grocery store was open to first responders only until noon. Canadian Tire, Shoppers Drug Mart, McDonald's, Starbucks, Walmart, and Tim Hortons were all closed as well.

The Yellowknife RCMP said in a Thursday morning news release that they have deployed additional police officers who will be responding to calls for service, conducting neighbourhood patrols and providing assistance to the ongoing evacuation.

"This increased police presence will remain in effect for as long as it is safe to do so. A big focus of these patrols will be the prevention of theft or break-ins to residences and businesses," the release said.

RCMP also responded to a collision in the gas line near the Big River Service Centre in Fort Providence. RCMP said a vehicle was rear-ended as they slowed to get into the line-up for gas. No-one was injured in this incident and the affected family was taken to a local hotel where alternate arrangements for evacuation will be made.

Air quality at dangerous levels

Environment and Climate Change Canada meteorologist Sara Hoffman told CBC News Thursday a low pressure system brought a very small shower to the area on Wednesday night with Yellowknife receiving 0.1 millimetres of rain.

"There's some possibility of rain today. We do have thunderstorms in the forecast for this afternoon. Those would be very hit and miss," she said, noting Yellowknife and Fort Smith can possibly expect 2 mm of rain at best.

"Some strong winds from the North are affecting a lot of smoke south."

Embed | Estimated fire perimeters

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Yellowknife has a very dangerous air quality, Hoffman said, with the air quality health index value of 54. Anything above seven is dangerous for the public. She warns people to limit their time outside and drive with safe distance on the roads due to low visibility.

Strong gusts of winds about 20 to 30 kilometres per hour are expected on Friday and Saturday, Hoffmain said.

"Hay River will actually see some more definite showers today. I think five to 10 millimeters is a fair forecast today."

N.W.T. residents who are required to evacuate, preparing to evacuate, or have already evacuated are being asked to fill out an Evacuee Registration Form. The extraordinary evacuation order affects nearly 22,000 people in Yellowknife.

Those who have already evacuated and registered at an evacuation reception centre in Alberta, including Grand Prairie, Wood Buffalo, Fort McMurray or St. Albert, do not need to complete the form.

Cross Country Checkup wants to know, how are the Northwest Territories wildfires affecting you? What help do you need? Fill out the details on this form and send us your stories.

Some good news in Hay River, N.W.T. The fire burning there had been expected to reach the community late Wednesday. However, N.W.T. Fire reported shifting winds late Wednesday evening.

"Thanks to some lake effect pushing the fire onto itself, the column is going straight up and has stalled approximately 10 kilometres from the community," the post read.

Photogallery | IN PHOTOS | Yellowknife evacuations underway as wildfires spread

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Air evacuations to begin Thursday

People who cannot leave by road, and residents who are immunocompromised or have other conditions that put them at higher risk, are asked to register for evacuation flights. Air evacuations are scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. Thursday.

Air evacuees are being advised to go to Sir John Franklin High School in Yellowknife, with standard carry-on baggage only, after 10 a.m. Thursday. Pets will be allowed on commercial carriers, but must be crated. On military aircraft, pets should be crated if possible.

Image | Yellowknife air evacuation

Caption: Yellowknifers lined up outside of Sir John Franklin high school Thursday morning around 9:30 awaiting evacuation flights out of the city. (Francis Tessier-Burns/CBC)

Air Canada has also added two additional flights from Yellowknife to Vancouver and to Calgary to depart on Thursday.

Evacuees are urged to not leave by boat to a cabin or island on Great Slave Lake.

WATCH | See the fire update from N.W.T. officials from Wednesday evening:

Media Video | See the fire update from N.W.T. officials from Aug. 16

Caption: Northwest Territories officials provided an update Wednesday evening on wildfire situation and evacuation orders. Correction: An earlier version of this video caption incorrectly stated the briefing was Thursday.

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The territorial government has provided the following information for residents:

Registration form for N.W.T. residents who need to evacuate.
Territorial wildfire updates. Report smoke or fire by calling 1-877-698-3473.
Emergency response resources.
The latest community statuses, including notices, alerts and orders.
Additional information for evacuees.