Massive Wildfire Drives Thousands from Capital in Canada’s Northwest Territories

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In response to the urgent warnings, residents are fleeing the capital of Canada’s Northwest Territories due to a colossal wildfire advancing toward Yellowknife, a city of 20,000. Meanwhile, firefighters are also struggling with a rapidly growing fire that ignited homes in British Columbia’s West Kelowna.

The escape from Yellowknife saw thousands traveling great distances to safety, with the worst fire season in Canada’s history showing no relief. Emergency flights and roadways were used for evacuation, while a combination of fire guards, sprinklers, and water cannons were deployed to shield the city.

Though cooler temperatures had slowed the fire’s progress to 15 kilometers (9 miles) northwest of the city, Fire Information Officer Mike Westwick warned of unfavorable wind and dry weather conditions. The fire, ignited by lightning and covering 1,670 square kilometers (644 square miles), is not expected to subside soon and has broken three containment barriers.

Yellowknife appears nearly deserted, and the wildfire’s impact also threatens nearby Indigenous communities and their traditional activities. Further south, in West Kelowna, a wildfire grew six times larger overnight, leading to evacuations, although no lives were lost.

Complications in weather, with northwest winds and scarce rainfall, make efforts to halt the fire even more difficult. Emergency officials predict that the flames might reach city limits by the weekend, and though some limited rain is expected, it’s unlikely to halt the wildfire.

Government officials emphasized the urgency of the situation, and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau coordinated responses including increased flights from Yellowknife and efforts to prevent price gouging on essentials.

In addition to Yellowknife, about 6,800 people from eight other communities have been forced to evacuate, including the community of Enterprise, which was heavily damaged.

Canada is facing a record number of wildfires this year, with more than 5,700 fires scorching over 137,000 square kilometers (53,000 square miles) across the nation. As of the latest report, over 1,000 wildfires were ablaze, with more than half considered out of control. The crisis has had a broad impact, affecting air quality in parts of the U.S. and prompting fear and anxiety among those affected, as encapsulated by the fearful words of a child evacuating with his family: “I don’t want to die, mommy.”

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More about fokus keyword wildfires

• Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre
• Government of Canada’s Northwest Territories
• Yellowknife City Official Website
• BC Wildfire Service
• Emergency Preparedness, Response & Recovery from the Canadian Government