Wildfire threatens evacuated village in N.W.T. as flames reach nearby highways Wildfire threatens village Residents of an evacuated village in the Northwest Territories are on high alert this morning as a wildfire creeps dangerously close to their homes. The territory’s wildfire agency says the out-of-control blaze has been growing towards the village of Fort Simpson and has reached at least one highway west of the main townsite. The fire is estimated to be more than 100 square kilometres in size and has prompted a shelter-in-place
order for those still in town. An evacuation order was issued Sunday for the island community of 1,300 people, as the fire burned about seven kilometres away. Most residents have been staying at a gymnasium-turned-evacuation-centre in Yellowknife, nearly 700 kilometres east of Fort Simpson. The village says local and territorial fire crews would work to supply sprinkler systems and fight the blaze as required — provided it was safe to do so.
Northwest Territories, Fort Simpson, wildfire, evacuation order, shelter-in-place, highway, Yellowknife, sprinkler systems
So they evacuated but still said shelter-in-place? That seems backwards.
Highways burning is the part that scares me. Like how do they even get supplies in if the road is literally on fire.
They’re saying sprinkler systems?? If the fire is already like 7 km away then sprinklers won’t do anything, sorry. Also aren’t sprinklers for houses in hurricanes not wildfires.
I don’t get why Yellowknife is involved at all, that’s super far right? Like 700 km and they’re sending people to a gym and calling it an evacuation centre. Meanwhile the wildfire agency says it’s more than 100 square kilometers, so is it just gonna keep creeping until it hits the highway and then everyone panics again? Hope Fort Simpson is okay though.