Are you currently evacuating from Yellowknife? We want to hear your story and see your photos or videos! Share them with Global News by emailing [email protected]. The approaching wildfire has forced residents of Yellowknife to leave their homes in search of safety. The government of the Northwest Territories has issued an evacuation order due to the fire getting closer. However, residents have limited options to escape the city. Flights will begin on Thursday afternoon, but they are only available to those who cannot drive or have health issues, according to the evacuation order. The only road out of Yellowknife passes through territory that has already been scorched by the flames and through the burned town of Enterprise, which is now almost destroyed. With nearby areas facing a greater threat or already filled with other evacuees, the approximately 20,000 residents of Yellowknife must travel far to find shelter. There are only a few gas stations along the route, with the closest one being in Fort Providence, which is approximately 300 kilometers away from Yellowknife. Yellowknife resident Bill Braden has decided to bring extra fuel to bypass the gas station in Fort Providence, as he was told that the line of vehicles stretched for a kilometer and waited for hours. To assist evacuees, Alberta Wildfire officials have set up a rest stop on the side of the highway near Steen River, just south of the provincial border. They are distributing bottled water, and a Petro Canada tanker truck has been set up as a temporary gas station. In a statement, the province of Alberta expressed their willingness to help with the ongoing work in the Northwest Territories, stating that they received support during their own record-breaking wildfire season. Those evacuating south from Yellowknife face a lot of uncertainty. Many are worried about when they will be able to return and what they will come back to. Bill Braden, for example, expressed concern about the future, but emphasized the importance of a safe and clear highway as there are no other options for evacuation. The N.W.T. government has urged residents to stay with family or find accommodations in Valleyview, Fox Creek, or Red Deer, all of which are over 1,000 kilometers away. Braden’s family plans to stay with relatives in Grand Prairie, Alberta, which is a 12 to 15-hour drive. The Minister of Environment for the N.W.T., Shane Thompson, assured residents that the road is safe to drive and that the evacuation is planned for their safety. He advised residents to leave by noon on Friday and stated that pilot vehicles will help guide drivers through smokier areas outside the city. He also warned against evacuating by boat due to the expected decline in air quality. Despite the uncertainty, many residents have already started leaving Yellowknife in their vehicles since Tuesday. Braden remains optimistic that he will be able to return, but acknowledges the rapid approach of the fire and the sudden evacuation order, leaving little time for alternative plans. He finds it almost inconceivable that there will be such levels of loss and destruction, but acknowledges the possibility and chooses not to dwell on it for now.
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