YELLOWKNIFE (JULY 5, 2022) – With more than 500 fires burning in Yukon, NWT, and Alaska, and many more in southern Canada, most NWT communities will experience wildfire smoke over the coming days and even weeks.
It will range from mild levels to very high levels depending on where you are. It is likely this will come with ash in many cases.
This easy-to-follow forecast can help you understand where the smoke is coming from and how heavy the smoke might get over the next few days. The basic idea: if the colour over your community is lighter the smoke is likely to be less sever. If it’s darker, it’s more severe.
It is natural for this to be unnerving, but just because there’s smoke doesn’t mean there’s wildfire threatening your community, home, cabin, or camp. We will update you if there are threats.
Stay up to date
- Following the daily wildfire updates:
- Following local news on radio, TV, and online – we update reporters daily.
Precautions for wildfire smoke
Wildfire smoke does present a hazard – especially for older folks and those who already have heart or lung problems.
Here are some resources from the Department of Health and Social Services with tips to help individuals and communities deal with wildfire smoke if it becomes a problem:
- Wildfire Smoke Information
- Wildfire Smoke and Your Health - Air Quality Self-Assessment Method
- Smoke Exposure from Wildfire: Guidelines for Protecting Community Health and Wellbeing
If you are concerned or have more questions, contact your local health centre.
For media requests, please contact:
Wildfire Information Officer
Environment and Natural Resources
Government of the Northwest Territories
867-445-5484