Residents in Yellowknife, the capital of Canada’s Northwest Territories, were in a rush to evacuate their homes before a noon Friday deadline as a wildfire approached the city. This wildfire is one of many that have been devastating the territories, making this the worst fire season on record in Canada. Thousands of people have already fled, either driving long distances to safety or waiting for emergency flights. The fire was only 16 kilometers away from Yellowknife on Thursday, and officials were concerned that strong winds could push the flames even closer. However, there was still time for residents to leave by road or air. Premier Caroline Cochrane described the situation as “unprecedented” and emphasized the urgency of the evacuation. Canada has experienced a record number of wildfires this year, with over 5,700 fires burning an area of more than 137,000 square kilometers. As of Thursday evening, over 1,000 wildfires were still burning across the country, with more than half of them being out of control. In addition to Yellowknife, the threat of wildfires prompted the evacuation of properties near West Kelowna in British Columbia. The evacuation of Yellowknife is the largest of the year, according to Ken McMullen, president of the Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau met with his incident response group to ensure communication services remained available and to crack down on price gouging. The situation has caused anxiety and fear among residents, with many uncertain about what they will return to once the fires are under control. Indigenous communities have been disproportionately affected by the wildfires, jeopardizing important cultural activities such as hunting and fishing. The evacuation process is challenging in remote communities with limited access to roads. Despite the difficulties, residents are prioritizing their safety and taking necessary precautions to protect themselves and their loved ones.
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