Authorities in Canada are rushing to evacuate approximately 20,000 residents from Yellowknife, the capital of the Northwest Territories, as a destructive wildfire approaches the city. Firefighters have been working tirelessly to battle the flames, which have already advanced to within 10 miles of Yellowknife.
According to Shane Thompson, the territory’s environment and climate change minister, the situation has worsened, with the fire now posing a real threat to the city. However, he reassured residents that there is still a safe window for evacuation, urging them to leave by noon local time on Friday.
Thompson warned that without rain, there is a possibility the fire could reach the outskirts of the city by the weekend. He emphasized the risks involved in choosing to stay and urged residents to prioritize their safety.
Yellowknife, located on the north side of the Great Slave Lake, is hundreds of miles away from the Arctic Circle and the international border with the United States. Photos have shown long lines of cars heading south along the city’s only main highway, as residents seek refuge in nearby communities.
Evacuation flights have also been scheduled for those who are unable to leave by car or have higher risk conditions. Gas and tow trucks will be available along the highway to assist evacuees, as well as pilot vehicles to guide them through smoky areas.
The impacts of the wildfires are not limited to Yellowknife. Smoke from the fires has led to poor visibility and unhealthy air quality across the region, affecting areas as far south as Idaho and Montana. This smoke is also mixing with pollutants from fires in the Pacific Northwest, exacerbating the air quality issues.
The scale of the wildfires in Canada is staggering, with nearly 33 million acres of land burned so far, equivalent to the size of Alabama or nine Connecticuts. The combination of record-breaking heat and prolonged drought, exacerbated by climate change, has fueled the intensity of the fires.
The most intense fire activity has been observed in Quebec and the Northwest Territories. Several communities in the Northwest Territories have already been evacuated, including the hamlet of Enterprise near the Alberta border. Evacuees have described harrowing experiences, with one individual recounting how their car began melting as they drove through embers to escape.
The situation has prompted authorities in the Northwest Territories to declare a provincial state of emergency. Firefighters have faced challenges due to unpredictable winds, allowing the flames to approach Yellowknife more rapidly than initially anticipated.
Yellowknife Mayor Rebecca Alty expressed the city’s commitment to slowing the growth of the fire and ensuring the safety of its residents. As the evacuation efforts intensify, the priority remains the protection of lives and the containment of the fire to prevent further destruction.