Residents and evacuees can call 811 in the territory and 1-844-259-1793 out of territory to ask questions about evacuation
Current Status
Territorial State of Emergency
The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) has declared a Territorial State of Emergency.
This allows the GNWT to acquire and deploy the necessary resources to support emergency management and protect the health and safety of Northwest Territories residents.
This measure has ensured that the Emergency Management Organization (EMO) is better equipped to support the GNWT, community governments, and public agencies involved in emergency management plans and programs under the Emergency Management Act.
Update on Yellowknife Re-entry and Essential Workers’ Return
The GNWT has advanced to Phase 3 of Yellowknife's re-entry plan. They have instructed departments and agencies to begin the return of essential workers, paving the way for the general population's return.
All essential personnel are designated and approved by community governments, local authorities or Government of the Northwest Territories departments. The Territorial Emergency Management Organization then supports these designations through an established process.
Travel Options for Essential Personnel:
Driving: If you choose to drive, be cautious:
- Highway 1 is hazardous with fires on both sides and frequent closures.
- Regularly consult the Department of Infrastructure's page for highway conditions.
- Expect prolonged wait times at the border.
- If your name is not on the list of essential personnel, you will not be allowed to pass through the highway checkstops.
Flying:
- For those unable to drive, GNWT is managing air travel. The EMO is gathering data to plan logistics.
- More details on flight schedules and assignment will follow once the EMO assess the number of returning workers and their preferred mode of travel.
- Repatriation flights from Edmonton, Calgary, Grand Prairie, Whitehorse, and Winnipeg will be available. Workers are responsible for reaching these flight points.
Family Members of Essential Personnel:
- If you are returning, you can bring family members if they lack other options. However, please note that services in Yellowknife remain very limited.
- Essential personnel already in Yellowknife cannot bring family back. These family members should return with the general public. This measure ensures demand on Yellowknife services remains manageable.
Health Caution: Those with medical conditions, dietary restrictions, special requirements, etc. can not be accommodated during this time, and should not return to Yellowknife as an essential worker.
Reminder: Unless your employer has notified you that you are an essential worker, it is not yet time to return to evacuated communities
It is not yet time for NWT residents to return to evacuated communities. Do not attempt to drive back to Dettah, Enterprise, Fort Smith, Hay River, K’atl’odeeche First Nation, Kakisa N'dilo, Yellowknife or the surrounding areas. There is a highway check stop at the NWT-Alberta border and roadblocks on Highways 2, 3, and 5. Only essential workers who have been authorized ahead of time will be allowed to return.
Please do not start travelling back toward the NWT-Alberta border. There are limited supports available in Northern Alberta should you be unable to cross the border. If you start driving North, you are responsible for your own accommodations, food, and other expenses. We know being away from home is stressful and frustrating. However, staying where you are is currently the best thing you can do.
EMO Updates and Information
The latest updates from the Emergency Management Organization can be found here: Latest Updates
Information about which NWT communities are currently under an evacuation order can be found here: Notices, Alerts, and Orders
Information about Evacuee Reception Centre locations can be found here: Evacuee Reception Centres
Wildfire Status
Follow NWT Fire for updates on wildfire:
Highways and Airports
The Highway Conditions Map and Highway Conditions Webpage remains the most up-to-date source for NWT highway status.
Highway 1 - CLOSED from the Alberta border to km 84. The highway above that section is open but you should expect there may be short closures throughout the day. Please expect delays if you travel in this area and make sure you listen to local officials.
Checkstops
There are currently staffed checkstops at:
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the junction of Highway 1 and Highway 2
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Highway 3 at km 272 – between Behchoko and Yellowknife
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Highway 3 between Yellowknife and Behchokǫ̀ remains open southbound.
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Please follow the instructions of staff at the checkstops. They have an important job to do to keep our communities and residents safe. Those who refuse to follow their instructions will be immediately reported to the RCMP.
Industry, Tourism & Investment
Support for Entrepreneurs and Economic Development (SEED)
If your business has been affected by wildfire evacuations, you may be eligible for relief funding through the Support for Entrepreneurs and Economic Development (SEED) Policy.
SEED funding has been expanded to allow for contributions of up to $5,000 to offset operational costs incurred by wildfire-affected businesses.
Applications for costs incurred from May 2023 onward will be accepted and must be supported by receipts or equivalent proof.
Businesses that have already received funding for wildfire relief under the SEED Policy can receive up to the $5,000 funding limit if they can continue to meet the program criteria required. These supports are temporary additions to SEED and will be accessible until March 31, 2024.
Application and eligibility information are on the Operational Support for Businesses Affected by Wildfire Evacuation funding page.
Health Services Updates
With evacuations and impacts from wildfires in the NWT, access to care and services will be different than normal. A Questions and Answers webpage about has bee
Finance
Applications for the Evacuation Travel Support Program are now open and available online.
The Evacuation Travel Support Program will provide financial relief to NWT residents who evacuated by vehicle due to the wildfires: $750 per vehicle evacuated to a southern jurisdiction or $400 per vehicle evacuated within the NWT.
Residents can apply here: https://www.fin.gov.nt.ca/en/services/evacuation-travel-support-program
If you left your home community by road but need to return by air, you may be eligible for organized re-entry flights paid for by the GNWT. More details on registering for these flights will be provided as re-entry planning progresses.
Health Services Updates
With evacuations and impacts from wildfires in the NWT, access to care and services will be different than normal. A Questions and Answers webpage about has been developed for evacuees and can be found here.
If you are outside of the NWT and have lost or are missing your NWT health care card, more information can be found by clicking here.
You can also call NWT 811 for both health information and general information on evacuation supports. In the NWT dial 811, outside the NWT dial 1-844-259-1793.
Donations
Monetary donations are being accepted by United Way NWT.
Be Ready for Wildfires
Get your Emergency Kit and essentials packed and ready.
- Make an Emergency Plan and Kit
- Ensure transportation is ready to go
- Prepare pets and service animals
- Listen to directions from emergency management officials you see on the ground
- Stay up to date with alerts and local news
- Stay in touch with loved ones
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. All residents who have been evacuated are asked to register themselves in the portal, even if you have also registered at an evacuation centre.
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.
Follow the latest emergency alerts here: https://nwtalert.ca/#/
- Download the Alertable emergency app