August 5, 2023 – Updates from today are highlighted in Yellow.
Evacuation Alerts and Orders
|
Location |
Status |
Order |
|---|---|---|
| Highway 3, kms 284 to 306: Cabin and Home owners |
Current – Evacuation Alert |
|
|
Behchokǫ̀ – Rae, Edzo, and Frank Channel
|
Current – Evacuation Alert This Evacuation Alert is issued on behalf of Behchokǫ̀. |
|
Evacuee Registration Portal
The Evacuee Registration Portal is for NWT residents who need to evacuate—or be prepared to evacuate—due to an emergency or disaster.
Your community government will advise you if you are to register on the evacuee registration portal. Communities remain lead on emergency response activities.
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. Keep yourself safe and healthy, with the checklists in the guide.
Be Ready for Emergencies
> Get your Emergency Kit and essentials packed and ready.
Updates and Monitoring
Roads and Airports
> Highway Conditions Map: the most up-to-date source for NWT highway status
- Highway 3: Highway 3 between Behchokǫ̀ and Yellowknife is being monitored closely due to wildfire. The situation can change quickly with no warning.
- Highway 5: Highway 5 is being monitored closely due to wildfire. The situation can change quickly with no warning.
- Be prepared for poor visibility, delays and sudden road closures. Please drive with caution.
- Drive carefully, and check the Highway Conditions Map for the latest on highway status and closures.
NWT Wildfire
Fire Bans
If you see fire ban violations, report them. Call 1-877-NWT-FIRE to report violations.
> North Slave Region: Fire Ban in place for North Slave region on all public and private lands
- A fire ban is in place for all public and private lands in the North Slave Region and may be extended if necessary. Click for full details
> South Slave Region: Fire Ban in place for South Slave region on all public and private lands
- A fire ban is in place for all public and private lands in the South Slave Region and may be extended if necessary. Click for full details
> NWT Parks: Fire bans are in effect at many NWT Parks.
Heat and Air Quality
Extreme heat and poor air quality can affect your health and well-being. Click the links below to learn more.
- Heat Warning
- Air Quality
- Advanced laser air quality monitors are installed in the following communities: Behchokǫ̀, Dettah, Enterprise, Fort Liard, Fort McPherson, Fort Providence, Fort Resolution, Fort Simpson, Fort Smith, Hay River, Inuvik, Jean Marie River, Kátł’odeeche First Nation, Łutselkʼe, Nahanni Butte, Ndılǫ, Sambaa K’e, Tsiigehtchic, Tulita, Tuktoyaktuk, Wekweètı̀, Whatı̀, Wrigley, and Yellowknife. These monitors measure particle pollution (PM2.5).
- Particle pollution at or below 12 μg/m3 is considered healthy with little to no risk from exposure. To check the current air quality levels for these communities, visit PurpleAir.
- Active heat warnings and air quality alerts (Environment Canada)
WILDFIRE RESPONSE
Evacuee Services
Accommodations
Evacuation Reception Centre
- On August 4, 2023 at 5:00 p.m. the Evacuation Reception Centre at the Yellowknife Multiplex will close as evacuees from Behchokǫ̀ return to the community. This will also include stand-down of additional health services provided at the evacuation centre and Yellowknife Primary Care clinics for Behchokǫ̀ residents.
Health Services
- The Marie Adele Bishop health centre in Behchokǫ̀ is in the process of reinstating services. Emergency and Ambulance services will be available. Through the weekend the Health Centre will remain on emergency services only, with full services resuming Tuesday, August 8, 2023.
- Any evacuees remaining in Yellowknife can access services at Health and Social Services facilities as all residents are able.
- Frame Lake Community Health Clinic, 312 Old Airport Rd (across from Walmart), Phone: 867-767-9125
- Yellowknife Primary Care Clinic, 4915 48 St (across from Downtown grocery store), Phone: 867-767-9294
- For general non-urgent health advice call 811. Nurses are available to ask about your health, provide general health advice, answer questions, and direct you to the most appropriate resources for where you are. Services are available in over 200 languages, including Chipewyan, Cree, Tłıchǫ, Inuinnaqtun, Inuktitut, North Slavey, South Slavey, and French.
- For medical emergencies, call 911.
Mental Health Services
- Being evacuated from your home community is stressful. Checking in with a mental health and counselling resource can help provide strategies, advice, and resources to deal with this difficult situation.
- There are a number of remote supports that are accessible below.
Program and Service Updates
| LOCATION | STATUS | DETAILS |
|---|---|---|
|
Behchokǫ̀, Marie Adele Bishop Health Centre |
Re-instating services |
|
|
Tłı̨chǫ Daycare and CJBS Child Development Centre |
Closed |
Licensed early learning and child care programs operated by the Tłı̨chǫ Government are currently closed in order for staff to complete necessary assessments prior to re-entry. |
| Public Libraries | Closed |
The public libraries at Chief Jimmy Bruneau School and Elizabeth Mackenzie Elementary School are closed until further notice. |
|
Behchokǫ̀ Inspection Services |
Postponed (Rae) |
|
| Behchokǫ̀ Probation Services | Open |
|
|
Behchokǫ̀ ECE Service Centre |
Open |
The Behchokǫ̀ ECE Service Centre has reopened as of the afternoon of August 4. |
| Behchokǫ̀ Kò Gha K’àodèe – Public Housing | Open |
Behchokǫ̀ Kò Gha K’àodèe is open. Public housing tenants can contact:
|
Financial Support
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:
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
Hunters and Trappers Disaster Compensation
> Help for those who lost homes/cabins on Highway 3
- In addition to checking with your insurance provider, financial help may be available if you used your home or cabin for traditional practices, like hunting, trapping, fishing, or harvesting, through the Hunters and Trappers Disaster Assistance Compensation program.
- If your home or cabin was lost, GNWT staff will discuss this with you when you are informed. Our hearts go out to everyone affected.
Income Assistance
- Behchokǫ̀ Income Assistance recipients who received Income Assistance during the month of July 2023 and had been evacuated as a result of the wildfires, will be issued the Emergency Allowance benefits by Education, Culture and Employment.
- The rate of emergency allowance for single applicants is $500 and those with families is $1,000. The emergency allowance payments have been issued.
- If you do not have direct deposit, please call the North Slave ECE Regional Service Centre at 1-866-768-8145 to let them know where you are so alternative arrangements can be made.
- If you are experiencing financial difficulties and would like to speak to someone about applying for Income Assistance, contact the North Slave ECE Regional Service Centre by calling 1-866-768-8145.
Pets
Thank you to all the community groups and residents who are coordinating reunion, transportation, accommodations, and care for pets of evacuees.
The following is a list is organizations and community groups working to provide services for pets of evacuees. This list is not exhaustive.
Donations:
Yellowknife kennels:
Community Facebook Groups (Public):
Donations
Information Links
For the latest, most accurate emergency information, continue checking this page and listen to your Community Government.
> GNWT Public Safety Bulletin
Follow the latest emergency alerts here: https://nwtalert.ca/#/
- Download the Alertable emergency app
> NWT Wildfire
link