Residents of Yellowknife Ordered to Evacuate as Wildfire Nears City

Residents of Yellowknife, the capital of Canada’s Northwest Territories, were ordered to evacuate Wednesday night as wildfires neared the city of 20,000 people.

Shane Thompson, environment minister for the Territories, told a news conference that the city is not in immediate danger and there is a safe window for residents to leave by road and by air. People in the four areas of Yellowknife at highest risk should leave as soon as possible and residents in other areas have until noon Friday to leave, the Northwest Territories government said.

Air evacuations began Thursday to move residents out of the path of the fire, which is burning about 10 miles outside the city. Thompson said that without rain, it is possible the fire will reach the city outskirts by the weekend.

The Northwest Territories government has set up an evacuation center at the Yellowknife Airport to help people with their travel plans. They are also providing transportation to the airport for those who need it.

The government is urging residents to take all necessary precautions and evacuate as soon as possible. They are also providing updates on the fire’s progress and any other relevant information on their website.

Residents of Yellowknife are being asked to stay safe and follow the evacuation orders as the wildfire continues to spread.