Residents of Fort Simpson in the Northwest Territories have been instructed to evacuate due to a nearby wildfire. The Village of Fort Simpson issued the evacuation order on Sunday evening. Residents are being encouraged to make their way to Yellowknife, where the city is preparing to receive them. The Yellowknife Multiplex will serve as a reception and lodging center for evacuees and will be closed to the public until further notice.
A statement on social media from the Village indicated that there is no confirmed arrival time for evacuation aircraft. Residents planning to be airlifted are advised to report to the Rec Centre for flight assignments. An evacuation alert was initially issued on Friday evening, warning residents to be ready to leave at short notice when a fire was spotted approximately 10 kilometers from the Fort Simpson airport. As of Sunday, the fire was about seven kilometers away.
According to a fire information officer, the wildfire is not projected to reach the community overnight. The Village of Fort Simpson declared a local state of emergency on Sunday and announced that gas stations, including the Big River station in Fort Providence, will remain open 24/7.
The community, consisting of around 1,300 residents, is situated about 600 kilometers away from Yellowknife, requiring a ferry crossing at the Liard River. Mayor Les Wright stated that the ferry is operating non-stop to facilitate the evacuation process. However, the ferry has limited capacity, accommodating approximately 14 to 18 vehicles per trip. The Village emphasized that trailers will not be allowed on the ferry, and northbound traffic will be restricted to prioritize essential crossings for individuals.
Residents evacuating by air are advised to pack lightly due to limited space. The Village’s social media page also mentioned that pets will not be permitted on the aircraft and should be registered at the recreation center with food provisions.
In a social media update, Chief Kele Antoine of the Łı́ı́dlı̨ı̨ Kų́ę́ First Nation in Fort Simpson instructed evacuees to register at the recreation center, bring essential items such as medication, identification, important documents, and go-bags.
Earlier on Sunday, concerns were raised about several wildfires near highways in the Northwest Territories. However, the route from Fort Simpson to Yellowknife was reported to be open. The fire of particular concern, FS014, located south of Fort Simpson, is currently 1.5 hectares in size and classified as out-of-control.
N.W.T. Fire mentioned two other out-of-control fires, FS017 (30 hectares) and FS021 (0.5 hectares), burning near Highway 1 between Wrigley and Fort Simpson. Ground crews are being mobilized, and plans are in place to deploy heavy equipment and aerial resources if needed.
Weather conditions in Fort Simpson were smoky on Sunday, which helped reduce wildfire activity. Despite a high temperature of 35°C, Environment Canada issued a heat warning for the village and surrounding areas. Temperatures are forecasted to drop significantly in the coming days, with the possibility of rain.
The City of Yellowknife encouraged community members to support evacuees by donating through the Salvation Army. Additionally, summer camps scheduled at the Multiplex will be relocated to the Fieldhouse until further notice.