Wildfire Crisis: Emergency Declared in Canada’s Northwest Territories

The Northwest Territories government in Canada issued a state of emergency on Tuesday in response to fires that have largely burned one isolated village and are now presenting a threat to Yellowknife, the territory’s capital.

The declaration highlights the unprecedented damage caused by fires so far this year and offers authorities more flexibility in how they might handle an emergency such as a wildfire.

The Canadian government announced on Tuesday that it had approved federal funds to fight the flames and has sent in the military troops to assist in the fight.

To prepare for potential risks from nearby wildfires, the city of Yellowknife also declared a local emergency late on Monday. The proclamation, according to a statement from city officials, was made out of caution and no residents have been given the go-ahead to leave.

The capital of the Northwest Territories, Yellowknife, is located 450 kilometers (280 miles) south of the Arctic Circle. With about 20,000 residents, it is one of the larger communities in the sparsely populated north.

Canada’s Unprecedented Wildfire Season

wildfire-crisis-emergency-declared-in-canada’s-northwest-territories — The Northwest Territories government in Canada issued a state of emergency on Tuesday in response to fires that have largely burned one isolated village and are now presenting a threat to Yellowknife, the territory’s capital.

During the weekend, evacuation orders were issued for the majority of the settlements in the Northwest Territories’ South Slave region, which is bordered by Alberta.

According to the mayor of the hamlet of Enterprise, which has just over 100 residents, fire has nearly completely destroyed the community.

This year, wildfires have affected virtually all 13 of Canada’s provinces and territories, forcing residents to evacuate their homes, interfering with energy production, and requiring federal and international firefighting resources.

More land has been burnt than ever before for this point in the season—more than 130,000 square kilometers—and nearly 168,000 people have had to leave their homes at some point.

The Northwest Territories has already experienced 265 wildfires this year, which is higher than its 185-fire 10-year average.

Source: Reuters