Public Notice
GNWT’s Response to the Rockhill Apartments Fire
A structural fire at Rockhill apartments (4904 54th Ave) started at approximately 5:00 a.m. this morning on Tuesday, October 2, 2018 causing extensive damage to the building. All 33 units were evacuated. Other buildings in close proximity of Rockhill have also been evacuated as a precautionary measure while the Yellowknife Fire Department responds to the fire.
The City of Yellowknife is taking the lead with NTHSSA – Yellowknife Region supporting response activities. The Department of Health and Social Services has activated their EOC to provide additional support.
At 7:30 a.m. the City of Yellowknife opened up the Multiplex as an emergency shelter for Rockhill residents.
More information from the City of Yellowknife can be found here
From the Department of Health and Social Services (HSS):
Northwest Territories Health and Social Services Authority (NTHSSA) YK Region has established a registration desk at the Yellowknife Fieldhouse for the following:
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Coordination of short term lodging
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Emergency health and special needs
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Food Services
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Support Services (social services and counselling services)
YK Region has established a main communication telephone contact for the public at: 767-9095 x 41001
The Department is coordinating emergency support for those residents that may have lost health and social services documentation such as birth certificates and health care cards.
From the Department of Infrastructure (INF):
For those who have lost their driver’s licence or government identification card in this morning’s fire, fees will be waived for replacement cards.
From the Department of Education, Culture and Employment (ECE):
Income Assistance is set up at the Fieldhouse to provide emergency funding for both existing and new clients from the Rockhill apartments.
From the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs (MACA):
The GNWT Emergency Management Organization (EMO) is currently stood up and in monitoring mode. The EMO provides support to communities in the NWT in emergency situations. The EMO is ready to provide support and resources to the City of Yellowknife should the need arise.
From the NWT Housing Corporation (NWTHC):
The NWTHC is identifying all available vacant units within our own stock and working with the Department of Infrastructure and the federal government to identify any surplus federal units that can be accessed to house these families.
The NWTHC is working with the YWCA to determine the best way we can provide assistance for the households affected by the fire. This includes identifying private market rental units that can be made available to these families.
The Homelessness Assistance Fund is available, and the NWTHC will prioritize applications from households affected by the Rockhill fire.
From the Department of Justice (DOJ):
The Department of Justice is providing support through emergency financial assistance for victims of the tragedy. Integrated case management Pathfinders attended the Multiplex to help connect residents of Rockhill with necessary services, and to facilitate access to immediate financial assistance to cover food and clothing for families impacted by the fire through a victims of crime and tragedy emergency fund.
Public Saftey General Information:
Government of the Northwest Territories departments are working together with community governments and other organizations and agencies to monitor and respond to potential threats to public safety, communities and critical infrastructure in the Northwest Territories.
The NWT Emergency Plan sets out the policy and guidance whereby GNWT agencies and their partners support local emergency operations, and meet a collective responsibility to provide a prompt and coordinated response management for territorial emergencies.
Information to help individuals prepare their family and pets for an emergency are available on the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs’ website.
To report a community emergency, contact the NWT Emergency Measures Office 24 hours a day at 867-920-2303.
Below is a list of websites with the most recent, accurate official information to help keep residents informed on issues related to their communities. For more information, please contact the appropriate department representative.
Wildland Fire
- Updates on NWT wildland fires are published on the Environment and Natural Resources (ENR) website, Facebook page, and Twitter @NWTFire.
- The NWT Fire website provides daily wildland fire situation reports for the NWT and five regions, and a live map of wildland fire activity.
- Smoke Forecasts can be seen at Blue Sky Canada Wildfire Smoke Forecast
- To report smoke or fire in the forest, call ENR at 1-877-NWT-FIRE (1-877-698-3473)
Highway Closures
The Department of Infrastructure provides up-to-date highway condition information, including highway closures, through the following platforms:
- Highway conditions map
- By phone at 1-800-661-0750
Air Quality and Public Health Advisories
- The Chief Public Health Officer has published the following information:
- Information about air quality in the NWT is available from the NWT Air Quality Monitoring Network. Air quality information may also be posted to Environment Canada’s Public Weather Alerts page.
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Current advisories and information that are of concern to the health of NWT residents can be found on the Public Health Advisories page.
- You can also follow @NWT_CPHO on Twitter for public health information.
Fire Bans and Park Closures
- Information about fire bans and territorial park closures will be found under alerts on Industry, Tourism and Investment’s NWT Parks website.
- You can also follow NWT Parks on Twitter at @NWTParks or Facebook at fb.com/nwtparks for updates.
Each department or organization is responsible for updating their pages on their own as required by the current situation. Requests for information or updates should be directed to the responsible department.