Sécurité publique - Public Safety

Public Safety

June 9, 2023 - Updates from today are highlighted in Yellow.

Table of Contents

Evacuation Orders

Roads and Airports

Wildfire Response

Be Ready for Emergencies

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.  

  • If you need assistance, contact the KFN CEO Alex Gresl at 867-686-8898.

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.

  • Residents are being evacuated. 
  • Residents of Sambaa K’e are being advised on evacuation procedures by local officials.

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.

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:

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

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. 

  • Outreach drop in addictions programming is being offered every Wednesday & Friday afternoon from 1pm-4pm at the Centennial Library. 

  • 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.

  • 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.

      • 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.

 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&center=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

NWT Alert

Follow the latest emergency alerts here: https://nwtalert.ca/#/

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. 

Last modified: 
June 9, 2023