Highway 3 evacuation order extended as fire reaches Boundary Creek

An evacuation order for sections of Highway 3 between Behchokǫ̀ and Yellowknife was extended to km 320 on Monday afternoon due to the expansion of the breach of wildfire ZF015.

NWT Fire issued the update around 4pm saying the wildfire, which is also being called the Behchokǫ̀/Yellowknife fire, had reached Boundary Creek.

“Proceed to Yellowknife as soon as you can. Drive safely – visibility is extremely bad. Follow any directions and signage on the ground. Highway staff will let those leave who are still in the area,” the update stated.

People with homes and cabins near Boundary Creek, between kilometres 284 and 306 on the highway, were ordered to evacuate on Sunday night as winds pushed the fire to the east. An evacuation alert was also issued for kilometres 307 to 324.

NWT Fire said Monday morning crews were working to contain a significant breach of the retardant line east of the wildfire.

The wildfire is slightly less than 30km northwest of Yellowknife. The wildfire agency said the city and Ndılǫ are not at risk.