Plan for the return of evacuees due to wildfires to the Northwest Territories
The Yellowknife is "being held" and the government is already thinking about what to do when the wildfire season is over.
The Northwest Territories have been particularly affected by wildfires this year. The disaster displaced 70% of the Territories' residents.
The dedicated work of firefighters over the past week has paid off, and the spread of the fire around Yellowknife has been stopped. However, Northwest Territories officials said Monday that Yellowknife is still not ready for the return of residents who were evacuated. A phased plan to bring people home will need to be implemented.
Northwest Territories Fire Service officials said on social media that the wildfire near the capital is classified as "being held." This means that its spread beyond its current boundaries is unlikely. At the same time, the fire department noted that this status of the wildfire does not mean that Yellowknife residents can return to the city.
Yellowknife Mayor Rebecca Alty also addressed residents, additionally noting that Yellowknife's evacuation order is still in effect and should not take the relief from the fires as a sign to go back.
Due to wildfires in the Northwest Territories, residents of Yellowknife, Fort Smith and Hay River, as well as the communities of Ndilǫ, Kátł'odeeche, First Nation, Enterprise, Kakisa and Jean Marie River were evacuated.
In addition to the positive news regarding the wildfires in the Territories, the local government on Monday also announced a five-phase plan to return residents to the cities. The phases are as follows:
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Ensure that the community is not threatened by wildfires (i.e., a nearby wildfire, if any, is under control and air quality is acceptable);
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check whether the community has sustained damage (i.e. make sure that buildings and infrastructure are structurally sound);
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return necessary personnel (e.g., medical and municipal workers) to the community;
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Restore basic services to residents in community (e.g., operation of grocery stores, gas stations, and medical facilities);
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return evacuated residents to the community from which they were evacuated.
At the same time, local officials cannot say exactly when all fires will be brought under control and, consequently, say when the phased plan to return residents to their towns will be enforced.
