NWT Emergency Response Update - August 14, 2023, 9:00 p.m.

Public Safety Bulletin

The NWT Territorial Emergency Management Organization is fully activated. The next Public Safety Bulletin can be expected Tuesday, August 15 by 1900hrs.

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Current Status

Several NWT communities have been evacuated due to wildfires.

Evacuation Notices, Alerts and Orders for a community are issued by the Community Government.

> Level 1 - Evacuation Notice: To advise you that an emergency event, such as a wildfire or flood, may present an increased risk to your community and could endanger life or property.

> Level 2 - Evacuation Alert: You may be at risk. Get ready to leave on short notice.

> Level 3 - Evacuation Order: You are in danger. Leave now – follow all directions from officials.

    Status of South Slave Region communities and area

    > Enterprise - Evacuation Order
    > Fort Smith - Evacuation Order
    > Hay River - Evacuation Order
    > K’atl’odeeche First Nation - Evacuation Order

    • The designated Reception Centre for South Slave evacuees travelling south by vehicle is in Grande Prairie, Alberta.

    > Kakisa - Evacuation Alert

    > All other South Slave communities -  No advisories, alerts or orders in place.  [Aug 14, 1900hrs]

    Designated Reception Centre for South Slave evacuees

    > The designated Reception Centre for all South Slave evacuees travelling south by vehicle is in Grande Prairie, Alberta.

    • Address: Alliance Church, 15502 102 St, Grande Prairie AB T8X 0J6
    • Phone: 780-876-4918

    > If you are staying in High Level or Peace River you must arrange your own accommodations, such as with friends and family. There is no designated Reception/Evacuation Centre in High Level or Peace River. There are no accommodations or services for South Slave evacuees in these two locations.

    For any evacuees displaced in Yellowknife

    • If you are an evacuee in Yellowknife and do not have accommodations and require supports please call 867-444-0618 to identify yourself.
    • There are no accommodations or meal services being provided in Yellowknife for evacuees.
    • There is no designated Evacuation/Reception Centre open for evacuees in Yellowknife.
    • If you have evacuated to Yellowknife with plans to stay in Yellowknife, you must arrange those accommodations on your own.
    • DO NOT go to the Stanton Legacy Building for supports. This location is designated for evacuated patients out of the South Slave Region ONLY.
    • The Yellowknife Multiplex and Stanton Territorial Hospital ARE NOT designated Evacuation/Reception Centres.

    > If you require general non-urgent health advice call 811.

    > For medical emergencies, call 911.

      Status of Dehcho Region communities and area

      > Jean Marie River - Evacuation Order

      • The designated Evacuation Centre for Jean Marie River is in Fort Simpson.

      > All other Dehcho communities -  No advisories, alerts or orders in place.  [Aug 14, 1900hrs]

      Status of North Slave Region communities and area

      > North Prosperous Lake, North Prelude Lake, all of River Lake for Cabin and Home owners - Evacuation Order

      • There is no designated Evacuation/Reception Centre for evacuees from North Prosperous Lake, North Prelude Lake, all of River Lake. Evacuees must arrange their own accommodations.

      > Highway 3: kms 284-320 (Boundary Creek) for Cabin and Home owners - Evacuation Order

      • There is no designated Evacuation/Reception Centre for evacuees from Highway 3: kms 284-320 (Boundary Creek). Evacuees must arrange their own accommodations.

      > Behchokǫ̀: Edzo and Frank Channel - Evacuation Alert

      > All other North Slave communities -  No advisories, alerts or orders in place.  [Aug 14, 1900hrs]

      Status of Sahtu Region communities and area

      > All Sahtu communities -  No advisories, alerts or orders in place.  [Aug 14, 1900hrs]

      Status of Beaufort Delta Region communities and area

      > Inuvik - Evacuation Notice

      > All other Beaufort Delta communities -  No advisories, alerts or orders in place.  [Aug 14, 1900hrs]

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      Wildfire Status

      > Follow NWT Fire for updates on wildfire:

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        Highways and Airports

        The Highway Conditions Map remains the most up-to-date source for NWT highway status.

        The following highways are closed due to wildfires [August 14, 2100 hrs]:

        • Highway 1 - CLOSED from km 0 (Alberta border) to km 140. 
        • Highway 2 - CLOSED
        • Highway 3 - OPEN
        • Highway 5 - CLOSED
        • Jean Marie River access road- CLOSED
          • Please, unless absolutely necessary, DO NOT travel by highway at this time. The situation is changing quickly and highways will close if it is deemed unsafe.
          • DO NOT go around the barricades. It is not safe.
          • Be prepared for poor visibility, delays and sudden road closures. Drive with caution.
          • Check the Highway Conditions Map for the latest on highway status and closures.
        • Hay River Airport: Airport access restricted to medevac and evacuation operations only (with prior permission) until further notice.
        • Fort Smith Airport: Airport access restricted to medevac and evacuation operations only (with prior permission) until further notice.
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        Air Quality

        Poor air quality can affect your health and well-being. Click the links below to learn more.

        > Wildfire Smoke Exposure Advisory

        > Active air quality alerts (Environment Canada)

        • Advanced laser air quality monitors are installed in the following communities: Behchokǫ̀, Dettah, Enterprise, Fort Liard, Fort McPherson, Fort Providence, Fort Resolution, Fort Simpson, Fort Smith, Gamètı̀, Hay River, Inuvik, Jean Marie River, Kátł'odeeche First Nation, Łutselkʼe, Nahanni Butte, Ndılǫ, Sambaa K'e, Tsiigehtchic, Tulita, Tuktoyaktuk, Wekweètı̀, Whatı̀, Wrigley, and Yellowknife. These monitors measure particle pollution (PM2.5).
        • Particle pollution at or below 12 μg/m3 is considered healthy with little to no risk from exposure. To check the current air quality levels for these communities, visit PurpleAir.
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        Actions Today

        • The Territorial Emergency Management Organization (TEMO) along with Regional Emergency Management Organizations (REMO) are supporting emergency response across the territory and are in regular communication with affected communities and supporting agencies.

        • Territorial EMO is activated at Level 3 – Full Activation; North Slave EMO is activated at Level 2 – Partial Activation; South Slave EMO is activated at Level 3 – Full Activation; Beaufort Delta EMO is activated at Level 1 - Monitoring.

        • The Territorial EMO activated an Incident Management Team including support from Joint Task Force North of the Canadian Armed Forces.

        • Territorial and Regional Emergency Management Organizations provide resources for planning, coordination, and support to community emergency management operations.

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        Priorities for Operations 

        • The EMO continues major efforts to coordinate activities in support of South Slave communities and to monitor conditions across the NWT. This includes:
          • Continued emergency response coordination.
          • Continued wildfire response.
          • Continued support to affected communities and stakeholders.
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        Financial Support

        Evacuee Income Disruption Support Program

        • The Evacuee Income Disruption Support program assists individuals who have lost employment income due to extended evacuation periods.
        • Provides financial support to adults 17+ whose employment has been disrupted by an evacuation lasting more than seven days.
        • Eligible residents can receive a one-time payment of $750.
        • For more information on how to apply:

        Income Assistance

        > South Slave – Enterprise, Fort Smith, Hay River, Kátł’odeeche First Nation

        Residents of Enterprise, Fort Smith, Hay River and Kátł’odeeche First Nation that received Income Assistance during the month of August 2023 and have been evacuated as a result of the wildfires, will be issued the Emergency Allowance benefit by Education, Culture and Employment.

        • The rate of emergency allowance for single applicants is $500 and those with families are $1,000. The emergency allowance payments are being issued and can take up to 48 hours to be deposited.
        • If you do not have direct deposit, call Income Security Programs at 1-866-973-7252 to let them know where you are so alternative arrangements can be made.
        • If you are experiencing financial difficulties and would like to speak to someone about applying for Income Assistance, call the toll-free phone number: 1-866-973-7252.

        > Dehcho – Jean Marie River

        Residents of Jean Marie River that received Income Assistance during the month of August 2023 and have been evacuated as a result of the wildfires, will be issued the Emergency Allowance benefit by Education, Culture and Employment.

        • The rate of emergency allowance for single applicants is $500 and those with families are $1,000. The emergency allowance payments are being issued and can take up to 48 hours to be deposited.
        • If you do not have direct deposit, call the Dehcho ECE Regional Service Centre at 1-833-995-7338 to let them know where you are so alternative arrangements can be made.
        • If you are experiencing financial difficulties and would like to speak to someone about applying for Income Assistance, call the Dehcho ECE Regional Service Centre at 1-833-995-7338 to speak with a Client Services Officer.

        > North Slave – Behchokǫ̀ and Surrounding Areas

        If you are experiencing financial difficulties and would like to speak to someone about applying for Income Assistance, call the Behchokǫ̀ ECE Community Service Centre at 1-867-392-6201 to speak with a Client Services Officer.

        > Beaufort Delta – Inuvik

        If you are experiencing financial difficulties and would like to speak to someone about applying for Income Assistance, call the Beaufort Delta ECE Regional Service Centre at 1-867-678-8065 to speak with a Client Services Officer.

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        Donations

        Monetary donations are being accepted by United Way NWT.

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        Be Ready for Wildfires

        > Get your Emergency Kit and essentials packed and ready. 

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        More Information

        > Evacuee Registration Portal

        The Evacuee Registration Portal is for NWT residents who need to evacuate—or be prepared to evacuate—due to an emergency or disaster. 

        Your community government will advise you if you are to register on the evacuee registration portal. Communities remain lead on emergency response activities.

        > NWT Wildfires Safety Check

        A public Facebook group is available to mark yourself safe from the 2023 wildfires in the NWT.

        If you need to report a missing person, contact the RCMP at 867-669-1111.

        > NWT Alert

        Follow the latest emergency alerts here: https://nwtalert.ca/#/

         

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