Yellowknife — August 14, 2023
The Government of Canada is providing assistance to support the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) with wildfire and emergency response management during this unprecedented wildfire season.
On August 11, 2023, the GNWT requested federal assistance to support its response to the wildfire situation across the territory. In response, the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) are mobilizing 124 soldiers tomorrow, 100 of whom will be engaged in Type III firefighting, with the remainder coordinating logistics needed for the scale of the deployment. Additionally, CAF will be deploying one helicopter and one twin otter to assist in the NWT’s ongoing wildfire and emergency response.
CAF members will be deployed to further support efforts to address priority wildfires where their services will be best used. Primarily, their services will be used to free up existing Type I firefighting, allowing them to continue responding to the many wildfires requiring significant response across the NWT. CAF members can perform tasks including help mopping up fires, similar to the work being done by other firefighters across the NWT.
Quote(s)
“The firefighters, first responders, and public servants involved in the NWT’s wildfire response have been working tirelessly over the last three months, and no amount of thanks will ever be enough to recognize their efforts. The mobilization of the Canadian Armed Forces will ease the stress on the territory’s resources and allow the GNWT to continue to provide essential services to evacuees during this unprecedented wildfire season. I want to thank Canada for being readily available to assist in our efforts to keep our residents and communities safe.”
- Caroline Cochrane, Premier of the Northwest Territories
“This is welcome assistance to help support the brave, dedicated individuals who have been busy all summer fighting fires, and taking on countless other challenges this long, difficult summer. These resources will enable important frontline work to be undertaken over the coming weeks. Together with our many partners, including this assistance from the Canadian Armed Forces, we will continue to work to keep our people and their properties safe.”
- Shane Thompson, Minister of Environment and Climate Change & Municipal and Community Affairs
“Canadian Armed Forces troops deployed to the Northwest Territories will be working in support of the NWT wildfire management teams already working to keep Northerners safe. Our members will be used to enhance existing efforts, with the majority of our personnel engaged in Type III firefighting activities; which includes work such as hotspot dousing. As this situation evolves, the numbers of personnel and locations will be adjusted as needed to ensure our support complements and enhances territorial resources. This is a terrible, stressful time for our communities, and the CAF is here to be of service in this emergency.”
- Capt(N) Doug Layton, Deputy Commander of Joint Task Force North
Quick Facts
- CAF members are Type III firefighters. They can perform some wildfire fighting tasks like dousing hot spots and clearing areas. They are not trained for direct attack on highly active wildfires.
- Type I firefighters can perform a wider range of firefighting tasks. Freeing them up from dousing hot spots and clearing areas will improve overall fire response.
- More than 2 million hectares have been burned by wildfires so far this season.
- The first fire in the NWT occurred on May 4, 2023, and the NWT has seen unprecedented numbers of fires near communities, cabins, and critical infrastructure.
- Eight communities and numerous unincorporated areas have been evacuated as a result of wildfires this season with thousands displaced – some for as long as a month or longer given two communities have evacuated twice this season.
- Drought conditions in many regions of the territory have led to hotter, deeper burning fires which can grow fast and are more difficult to put out.
- Buildup Index levels – a measure of the amount of forest fuel which has built up in the environment because fires have not burned in the area for a long time – have surpassed 200 in areas where the most severe fires have occurred. For reference, 90 is considered “extreme.”
Related Links
For media requests, please contact:
Wildfires and wildfire management
Mike Westwick
Manager, Communications and Public Affairs
Environment and Climate Change
Government of the Northwest Territories
867-688-0958
Public safety, evacuations, and evacuation support
Jennifer Young
Director, Corporate Affairs
Municipal and Community Affairs
Government of the Northwest Territories
867-767-9162 ex 21035
Canadian Armed Forces
DND Media Liaison Office
613-904-3333