Local State of Emergency Declared in Yellowknife Amidst Nearby Wildfire.

On Monday, the City of Yellowknife took the step of declaring a local state of emergency in response to the imminent threat posed by wildfires. This declaration empowers the city to efficiently allocate resources towards managing the fire risks. The decision to declare the state of emergency was reached during a specially convened council meeting held on Monday evening.

According to Yellowknife’s city manager, the event that prompted the declaration of emergency was the crossing of Boundary Creek by the Behchokǫ̀ wildfire, which occurred approximately 30 kilometers away from Yellowknife along Highway 3.

Sheila Bassi-Kellett explained during the council meeting, “We made the decision that once an evacuation order is issued for that specific area (kilometers 307 to 320 of Highway 3), it would signal the appropriate time for us to take proactive measures, mobilizing the necessary equipment to safeguard the city to the highest degree possible.”

The city is initiating an emergency declaration with the intention of implementing proactive actions, as explained by her.

A live fire map provided by the Northwest Territories indicates the presence of three fires in close proximity to Yellowknife. The Behchokǫ̀ fire has expanded to cover an area of 1,361 square kilometers. Additional data provided by the government on Monday indicates that two other nearby fires are measuring 407.2 and 409.2 square kilometers in size.

Mayor Rebecca Alty emphasized that the declaration of emergency should not be misconstrued as an evacuation notice or directive.

“The declaration of a state of local emergency is not an evacuation alert. It’s not an evacuation order,” she said at the special council meeting. “It’s about mobilizing all resources to reduce the risk of forest fires.”

Numerous fires are currently raging uncontrollably throughout the region.

Additional fires within the Northwest Territories have compelled the evacuation of communities such as Hay River, K’atl’odeeche First Nation, Fort Smith, and the adjacent areas.

On Monday, residents were swiftly notified and instructed to proceed directly to their local airports due to the hazardous conditions of highways.