Yellowknife — August 29, 2023
Municipal and Community Affairs (MACA) Minister Shane Thompson has renewed the Territorial State of Emergency that was originally declared on August 15, 2023 due to the wildfire situation across multiple Northwest Territories (NWT) regions. The extended Territorial State of Emergency will be in effect from August 29, 2023 until September 11, 2023.
The Territorial State of Emergency was originally declared under the Emergency Management Act to allow the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) to acquire and deploy the necessary resources to support the management of this unprecedented wildfire season, and protect the health and safety of NWT residents.
This measure ensures that the Emergency Management Organization is better equipped to support the GNWT, community governments, and public agencies involved in emergency management plans and programs under the Emergency Management Act.
Under the Act, the Minister can declare a Territorial State of Emergency for a period of 14 days, and renew it for the same period of time if the emergency still exists. While communities in the North Slave and South Slave regions remain at threat from wildfire, this State of Emergency applies to all of the NWT in recognition of the efforts needed to manage this unprecedented wildfire season.
For media requests, please contact:
Jay Boast
Information Officer, Emergency Management Organization
Department of Municipal & Community Affairs
Government of the Northwest Territories