YELLOWKNIFE (August 6, 2014) – North Slave communities are experiencing intermittent smoke issues due to ongoing fires in the region. Residents are advised to be aware of travel restrictions and health issues related to smoke. At this time no communities are being threatened by forest fires. The GNWT continues to work with our partners in community governments and local agencies to ensure public safety.
Municipal and Community Affairs (MACA)
MACA, through the Emergency Measures Office, is working to coordinate GNWT resources to notify the public about the current fire situation and allocate GNWT resources as required.
Transportation (DOT)
Conditions on August 6 have allowed Highway 3 to be opened without restrictions and regular traffic has been flowing throughout the day. The Department is reminding the public to slow down in areas where there may be reduced visibility, watch for bison, and cooperate with any highways officers that may be on the road.
Conditions may change quickly. For the latest updates on highway conditions, visit www.dot.gov.nt.ca, call 1-800-661-0750, or follow @GNWT_DOT on Twitter.
Environment and Natural Resources (ENR)
ZF-085, the fire burning approximately 27 km northwest of Yellowknife and approximately 7km from the highway, received some rain last night. Crews and air support continue to work on the east and southwest flanks of the fire, and have made significant progress in containing the fire. Crews continue to do values at risk protection along the highway. The fire is not considered a threat to Yellowknife or Highway 3 at this time. Residents will be advised if conditions change.
For the latest updates on NWT fire conditions, visit www.nwtfire.com, the NWT Fire Facebook page, and the ENR website for daily fire updates at 3pm.
Health and Social Services
The Department of Health and Social Services has been working to advise the public of precautions they can take in response to forest fire smoke. Information on health concerns related to forest fire smoke can be found on the Department’s website at www.hss.gov.nt.ca.
City of Yellowknife
The City of Yellowknife, effective Tuesday August 5, 2014 until September 2, 2014, is offering free use of the Yellowknife Fieldhouse for Yellowknife residents during regular posted hours. This service includes free use of the running/walking track, children’s play area, as well as the open fields during times when there are no scheduled programs or day camp programs. The City has extended the current flexi-pass card holders for an additional month to accommodate those residents that have already purchased a flexi-pass.
The City also welcomes truckers and tourists waiting for Highway 3 to open to use the City’s Fieldhouse facility for showers and recreation. Shower facilities on the main level, are available daily from 6am-9pm. Yellowknife residents can like the City of Yellowknife’s Our Yellowknife page on Facebook and follow @OurYellowknife on Twitter for information about emergency preparedness and response in Yellowknife.
Further Information
New Public Safety Updates will be provided as information becomes available. Updates will be distributed to local media and posted online at news.exec.gov.nt.ca.
Updates will also be posted at the following facilities in Yellowknife:
- City Hall
- Library
- Pool, Fieldhouse & Multiplex
- Northern Frontier Visitors Centre
- Fire Hall
Media Inquiries
Spokespeople will be made available for media interviews. To organize an interview, contact David Maguire, Communications and Web Advisor, at 920-3092 or 446-3084.