The wildfire situation in the North=West Territories continues to be challenging
Wildfires led to the evacuation of residents in the town of Hay River.
Wildfires continue to be a major problem in Canada's northwest. And while British Columbia has been easing up lately, the Northwest Territories continue to have serious issues. The Territories are now evacuating residents of Hay River because wildfires pose a "significant threat" to the community.
Even firefighters had to relocate, as local authorities report, to a "safe location" because their efforts to fight the flames did not produce the expected results. And all because a wildfire that is up to a kilometer wide has broken out south of Hay River. On Friday afternoon, local officials reported that south and southwest winds and dry air were the perfect conditions for the fire to develop and for "flame front moving parallel to the highway into Hay River."
Officials say the flames are moving very fast and there is a serious threat that they will reach the city. As of 3 p.m. local time, the fire was only 10 kilometers from the city.
It is also noted that air quality is poor and the sky is "blanketed in thick, dark smoke."
All Hay River residents who are not firefighters are being told to leave town immediately. Municipal and Community Affairs spokesman Jay Bost said about 100 people remained in Hay River Friday afternoon, but it's not clear how many of them are members of fire crews.
By 6 p.m., an official said 60 people had taken the first evacuation flight out of Hay River, and 30 to 40 vehicles carrying evacuated residents had passed through the checkpoint. Prior to that, authorities had posted on social media that anyone still remaining in Hay River who was not a firefighter should head to the airport for an evacuation flight. However, at the time of writing the post, it was not known where exactly residents were being evacuated to.
The Northwest Territories Fire Service expects wildfire activity to increase due to the dry, hot and windy weather and said it is developing contingency plans for the Hay River Fire, including sprinkler system activation and fire suppression actions.
