Whatì residents ordered to evacuate

The Community Government of Whatì says all residents must evacuate immediately due to a nearby wildfire.

The community issued an evacuation order at 10am on Friday morning. It advised residents to register at the Whatì cultural centre and said reception centres are being set up in Behchokǫ̀ and Yellowknife.

At 1:30pm on Friday, Highway 9, also known as the Tłı̨chǫ Highway, was closed to northbound traffic. The road remained open for residents from Whatì driving south to evacuate. The NWT government said the highway is not at risk from wildfire but smoke may reduce visibility.

City councillor Garett Cochrane posted on Facebook that Yellowknife is preparing a reception centre at the fieldhouse and multiplex gym.

Yellowknife Mayor Ben Hendriksen stated on Facebook that the facilities will be closed for public use “for the near future.” He added that some other city services may be affected or slower as municipal staff will be working with the Community Government of Whatì to welcome its residents to Yellowknife.

“As neighbours of Whatì, Yellowknife is here to support them,” he wrote.

“Please show kindness and support to Whatì residents as they become temporary Yellowknifers. We all know the challenges of being far from home in these difficult moments.”

Pushup Seth, Behchokǫ̀’s senior administrative officer, posted on Facebook that meals would be provided to Whatì residents at Behchokǫ̀’s cultural centre while snacks would be available throughout the day at the Kǫ Gocho Sportsplex Centre. He encouraged evacuees to register and get a wristband to access meals.

Lightning-caused wildfire ZF048 has burned 10,000 hectares since it started on August 7. As of Friday morning, it was burning 7km south of Whatì’s airport.

The NWT’s wildfire agency has said “this is the territory’s number one priority fire.”

Wildfire information officer Mike Westwick told Cabin Radio that smoke is “blanketing the area,” which has kept the humidity a bit higher and fire activity lower.

“The concern is that when that clears out, the winds are coming from the south pretty strong this afternoon and we could see the fire grow to the north towards the community,” he said.

Westwick said on Thursday, fire crews hit the fire with air tankers and helicopters and, over the past two days, have set up a sprinkler line at the edge of the community.

“We’re continuing to run those systems throughout the day to make sure we’re ready in case that encroachment does occur,” he said, adding NWT Fire is working closely with the local fire department.

“Everybody here is working extremely hard to keep this community safe.”

By Saturday, Westwick said southerly winds throughout the day could switch to northerly in the evening, which would be more favourable. He said “a significant improvement in conditions” is expected on Sunday with winds from the north, lower temperatures and higher levels of moisture in the air.

“That should give us some assistance on this fire.”

Community officials issued an evacuation notice for Whatì on Monday, which they upgraded to an evacuation alert on Wednesday.

The community is currently under a state of local emergency.

Around 600 people call Whatì home.

The NWT government’s emergency evacuation relief program offers a one-time payment of $800 to residents aged 18 and older and $400 for each dependent who are impacted by an evacuation order and not filing an insurance claim. The funds are intended to help with accommodation needs and other expenses such as groceries and gas.