A massive wildfire on the outskirts of Yellowknife, one of Canada’s largest northern cities, has prompted a widespread evacuation effort. The city’s local airport and main road have become crowded as thousands of residents seek safety from the advancing blaze. Emergency military evacuation flights have been organized, with hundreds of individuals lining up for a chance to leave the area.
Local authorities have issued a stern directive for the 20,000 residents of Yellowknife, located in the Northwest Territories, to evacuate by noon on Friday. As of the latest update on Thursday, the wildfire had moved within 16 kilometers (10 miles) of the city.
The Northwest Territories declared a state of emergency in response to the approximately 240 wildfires currently affecting the region. The situation is particularly dire due to the forecasted winds that could push the fire closer to Yellowknife over the next couple of days.
The city’s gas stations have seen lengthy lines, both within the city itself and on the road leading out. Bill Braden, a local resident, reported that the queue at one gas station extended for a kilometer. This surge in demand has affected traffic in the area, prompting police to advise cautious driving around Fort Providence, located about 300 kilometers southwest of Yellowknife.
For those without accommodations in nearby communities, the closest evacuation center is situated 1,100 kilometers south of Yellowknife. Military evacuation flights are being organized, with flights heading to Calgary, the neighboring province of Alberta.
The situation has garnered attention from the federal government, with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau convening an emergency meeting to discuss the escalating wildfires in the northern territories. The fires, exacerbated by climate change-induced dry and hot conditions, pose a substantial threat to Yellowknife and the surrounding areas.
As the region grapples with its worst wildfire season on record, experts attribute the severity to an unusually warm and dry spring. The dire situation underscores the urgent need for climate action to mitigate the risk of such devastating wildfires in the future.
