June 9, 2023 - Updates from today are highlighted in Yellow.
Table of Contents
- Contact information
- Evacuee Accommodations
- Financial Support for Evacuees
- Programs & Services for Evacuees
- Program Closures & Service Reductions
- Active Air Quality / Smoke exposure Advisories
- Impacts on NWT Parks Reservations
- Donations
- Information Links
Evacuation Orders
Location |
Status |
Order |
---|---|---|
Kátł’odeeche First Nation |
Current - Evacuation order |
Evacuation Order: An Evacuation order is in effect for Kátł'odeeche First Nation due to a wildfire in the area.
Evacuation Order issued on behalf of Kátł’odeeche First Nation. Follow the Kátł'odeeche First Nation Facebook page for regular updates. |
Sambaa K'e | Current- Evacuation order |
Evacuation Order: An Evacuation order is in effect for Saamba K'e due to a wildfire in the area.
Evacuation Order issued on behalf of Saamba K'e. |
Returning home safely after a wildfire
Returning home after a wildfire affected the area may be stressful and traumatic. This guide will help you know what to do and where to get help. Before returning home think about what you will see, hear and smell in your community upon return to emotionally prepare yourself and your family. Your community may have changed dramatically.
Keep yourself safe and healthy, with the checklists in the guide.
Roads and Airports
For the latest information, please refer to the Highway Conditions Map.
Sambaa K’e Airport |
Restricted |
Airport access restricted to medevac and fire operations only (with prior permission) until further notice. |
Wildfire Response
Contact Information
Wildfires Recovery Pathfinder (Kátł’odeeche First Nation)
A GNWT Pathfinder has been appointed to provide information on questions evacuees may have and where they can get additional details on what GNWT services may be available locally or at the evacuation centre in Yellowknife.
The pathfinder is available Monday-Friday 9am - 4:30pm.
- Phone: 867-445-3404
- Email: DisasterAssistance@gov.nt.ca
- Please leave a voicemail if there is no answer and your call will be returned.
Community Governments
For information specific to your community, reach out to your community government.
Evacuee Accommodations
Sambaa K'e
- An Evacuation Reception Centre has been established in Fort Simpson for evacuees from Sambaa K’e. A community spokesperson is available at the evacuation centre to provide more information for evacuees.
Kátł’odeeche First Nation and Town of Hay River
- As of June 1, all evacuees who had been staying overnight at the Yellowknife Reception Centre have returned home or made alternate arrangements for accommodations.
- On June 3rd, 2023 the last evacuees being lodged at the evacuation centre in Yellowknife returned to Hay River;
- On June 7th, 2023, the last KFN members who were using emergency evacuation supports in Yellowknife have left.
- There is no longer a need for emergency reception supports in Yellowknife. These services ended at 5PM on June 7th, 2023.
- Local supports are available in the KFN/Hay River area.
- For all information specific to your community, reach out to your community government.
Financial Support for Evacuees
The 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:
- Call: (867) 767-9168 ext. 15026
- Email: EIDS@gov.nt.ca
The Community Government Hosting Evacuees Grant
- The Community Government Hosting Evacuees Grant provides financial assistance to eligible community governments that host evacuees outside of a designated Evacuation Centre.
- To be eligible for the grant, community governments must host 10 or more registered evacuees.
- Funding starts at $20,000 and is capped at $40,000, and is based on total evacuees hosted.
- Funding can be requested after an evacuation order has been in place for seven or more days.
Business Relief
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Qualifying businesses affected by fire can access Operational Support under the GNWT’s SEED policy to provide emergency relief or support business recovery.
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Prior to filling out an application, businesses should contact their Department of Industry Tourism and Investment’s Regional Office.
Programs & Services for Evacuees
Health Services
Hay River regional health centre has been restored to normal operations.
Healthcare providers are available to assist with health needs of Sambaa K’e evacuees. This includes regular appointments prescription refills, etc.
- Call the Fort Simpson Health Centre at 867-695-7000 and identify yourself as an evacuee so we can direct your calls appropriately.
Mental Health Services for Evacuees
If you or someone you know has been impacted by a wildfire, checking in with a mental health and counselling resource may be helpful. Services available include:
- Community mental health supports in Hay River have resumed normal operations. To access these services please contact the Community Counselling Program at 867-874-8450.
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Outreach drop in addictions programming is being offered every Wednesday & Friday afternoon from 1pm-4pm at the Centennial Library.
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Community based mental health programs are available across all Regions. Information on how to access services in the Regions, including information on e-Mental Health and 24/7 supports can be found here : Mental Health Resources and Supports | Health and Social Services Authority (nthssa.ca)
The following supports are also available:
- NWT Help Line: 1-800-661-0844
- Kids Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868 Or text CONNECT to 686868
- Wellness Together Canada: Adults: 1-866-585-0445, Youth: 1-888-668-6810
- Canada Suicide Prevention Service: 1-833-456-4566
- Hope For Wellness: 1-855-242-3310
- Family Violence Crisis line: 1-866-223-7775
Income Assistance
If you are experiencing financial difficulties and would like to speak to someone about applying for Income Assistance, contact:
- Dehcho ECE Regional Service Centre at: 1-833-995-7338
Public Housing
Sambaa K'e
- Nahendeh District Office (for Sambaa K’e evacuees): 867-695-7700
- Fort Simpson Housing Authority (for Sambaa K’e evacuees): 867-695-2725
- Housing NWT Toll-Free Number: 1-844-NWT-HOME (1-844-698-4663)
- Housing NWT staff continue to assess public housing units in Sambaa K’e and there are no issues at this time. Housing NWT will be in contact with Sambaa K’e housing clients.
Kátł’odeeche First Nation and Town of Hay River
- Hay River Housing Authority: 867-874-6477
- Housing NWT Toll Free Number: 1-844-NWT-HOME (1-844-698-4663)
- Kátł’odeeche First Nation: Housing NWT is assessing the status of public housing units and will be in contact with KFN housing clients.
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KFN Members are able to return to the Reserve, but please be advised that not all services (power, water, sewer) have been restored. KFN Public housing tenants are asked to contact the Hay River Housing Authority if they need housing support.
- Hay River: Hay River Housing Authority staff continue to assess public housing units in Hay River and there are no issues at this time.
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Hay River public housing tenants can return to their homes. Public housing tenants are asked to contact the Hay River Housing Authority if there are any issues in their units.
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Program Closures & Service Changes
Location |
Status |
Details |
---|---|---|
Hay River Victim Services (Hay River & Kátł’odeeche First Nation) |
Available Remotely |
Hay River Victim Services provides services to Enterprise, Fort Resolution, Hay River, and Kátł'odeeche First Nation will continue to be available remotely. Contact: 867-876-2020 and 867-876-2121. |
Chief Sunrise Education Centre (Kátł’odeeche First Nation) |
Alternate Location |
The Kátł’odeeche First Nation District Education Authority authorized the resumption of school beginning Monday June 5, despite the school remaining closed. Classes will take place at the Hay River Recreation Center in the Community Hall, starting at 9:00am and ending at 3:15pm each day. All learning will be done in person.
|
Charles Tetcho School (Sambaa K’e) | Closed | Charles Tetcho School is closed until further notice. |
Active Air Quality / Smoke exposure Advisories
Follow the latest emergency alerts here: https://nwtalert.ca/
Link to active air quality alerts: https://weather.gc.ca/?zoom=8¢er=60.67747013,-112.35577273&alertTableFilterProv=NT#alerttable
NWT Parks
For information on fire bans, check the NWT Parks website and in-person at NWT Parks.
Dehcho Parks
- Powered camping sites have been reserved at the Fort Simpson Territorial Park for Sambaa K’e wildfire evacuees.
- Evacuees should contact park contractor, Stanley Paul (on site) for further direction.
- For more information about Dehcho Parks, contact Stephanie Hardisty at Stephanie_Hardisty@gov.nt.ca or (867) 695-7515
Donations
Monetary donations are being accepted by United Way NWT.
Information Links
For the latest, most accurate emergency information, continue checking this page and listen to your Community Government.
Public Safety Bulletin
Follow the latest emergency alerts here: https://nwtalert.ca/#/
- Download the Alertable emergency app
NWT Wildfire
Be Ready for Emergencies
Disaster can strike any time. Everyone has a role to play. Will you Be Ready?
For information on Emergency Preparedness, visit www.gov.nt.ca/BeReadyNWT.