Fort Good Hope evacuation order to lift ‘as early as Saturday’

Fort Good Hope residents can soon begin coming home after a wildfire-related evacuation lasting nearly three weeks, the community’s chief says.

Writing on Facebook, Chief Collin Pierrot said officials from the community, the GNWT and NWT Fire had “deemed it safe to lift the state of emergency and evacuation order.”

“We will do our best to get everyone back as quickly as possible,” the chief wrote.

The GNWT said the evacuation order will lift “as early as Saturday.”

“The fire is not out but the community is secure because there is very little forest fuel left nearby,” the territorial government stated.

“Wildland firefighters will continue to monitor the situation and take action as needed.”

NWT Fire said the risk to Fort Good Hope had “drastically reduced” and crews were now engaged in the “mop-up stage.”

Pierrot said flights would be arranged for evacuees returning from Norman Wells, and people waiting for those flights could expect to receive a notification from workers in Norman Wells.

“Please refrain from contacting the teams in Norman Wells or Fort Good Hope,” he added.

“We would like to thank you all for your patience and we look forward to welcoming you back home.”

According to a later update from Pierrot, essential workers are able to come home immediately. The GNWT is “working on re-entry for the rest of the evacuees to come home Saturday,” he said. A flight manifest will be posted at the school gym in Norman Wells.

In a separate update, the NWT government said 170 people in Norman Wells and 20 people in Délı̨nę were set to be flown home.

“People are asked to limit baggage on repatriation flights to two bags per person,” the territory stated.

“The Fort Good Hope community government has placed Fort Good Hope under a prohibition order – the community government will be checking baggage upon arrival in the community.”

More: GNWT Q&A for evacuees
GNWT guide: Returning home safely

The NWT’s health authority said the community’s health centre will reopen on Monday, and returning Fort Good Hope residents should call 811 if they need non-urgent health advice in the meantime.

“The nurse on call will also be available in the community over the weekend and can be contacted at 867-496-0004,” the health authority stated.

Fort Good Hope was evacuated on June 15 over wildfire VQ001, which began as an abandoned campfire north of the community. Many of the 600 or so residents were airlifted to Norman Wells, while others chose to stay at a nearby fish camp and still others remained behind to help fight the fire.

The fire reached the edge of Fort Good Hope but so far, no structures are confirmed to have burned.

Weather in recent days has pushed the fire away from the community, though efforts to fight the fire continue.