YELLOWKNIFE (August 5, 2014) – Smoky conditions and reduced visibility from the Birch Lake fires and the fires north of Birch Lake, are significantly affecting travel between Yellowknife and Fort Providence. 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. MACA is also working with the City of Yellowknife to ensure local emergency preparedness. This includes working with other GNWT departments to allocate resources as necessary as the current fire situation evolves.
Transportation (DOT)
DOT is working to ensure safety of travel on Highway 3. Highway Officers are conducting patrols and using the latest fire information from ENR to determine whether the highway can be travelled safely. With smoke conditions changing rapidly, the public is advised to check road closure conditions before travelling the highway. The road will be closed if travel is unsafe. On August 5, 2014, conditions cleared unexpectedly for a short time along Highway 3. DOT was able to move a convoy of about 100 vehicles through from Fort Providence to Yellowknife. A significant portion of the traffic in this convoy included commercial vehicles with supplies bound for Yellowknife. A convoy from the Behchoko side of the blockade was escorted south at 4:30pm on August 5 with ENR support. DOT continues to evaluate highway conditions and move convoys through as it is deemed safe.
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)
ENR is coordinating fire suppression activities and providing information on current wildfire conditions across the NWT. ENR also has fire behaviour experts regularly monitoring fires to help anticipate potential changes or advances. This information is being used to determine emergency response measures. Structural protection crews are working to place sprinklers on values North of Highway 3. 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.
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. Parking for truckers is available at the Fieldhouse.
Please contact the City to learn more about site access and location. While in Yellowknife, please note that other facilities such as the pool (user fee), trails, parks, museum, as well as number of restaurants and shops are located throughout our downtown, Old Airport Road, Old Town as well as Kam Lake.
Visitor Services are also available at the Northern Frontier Visitors Centre. 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