‘Stay calm,’ N.W.T. officials say as wildfire that’s reached Behchokǫ̀ explodes in size

N.W.T. Premier Caroline Cochrane, several territorial ministers and department experts provided an update on the ongoing response to the 1,000-square-kilometre wildfire that burned three homes in Behchokǫ̀ and has repeatedly closed Highway 3 to Yellowknife.

“The Northwest Territories has been shaken by one emergency after another this year and this week’s evacuation has been distressing for many of us,” said Cochrane.

She added it was “inspiring” to see the response from residents helping one another.

“Updates are coming in fast and furious,” said Cochrane. “This situation is changing really quickly and I urge everyone to stay calm.”

More than one million hectares of land — 10,000 square kilometres — have burned in the N.W.T. so far this season, and Cochrane noted the season is only half done. This week, a wildfire burning in between Yellowknife and Behchokǫ̀ took a run toward Highway 3 and then toward Behchokǫ̀, forcing the community to flee and closing the highway several times.

For Wednesday’s address, Cochrane was joined by Municipal and Community Affairs Minister Shane Thompson, Infrastructure Minister Diane Archie and Health Minister Julie Green.

The news conference came in the midst of what fire officials were expecting to be another challenging day of extreme fire behaviour, with winds gusting up to 40 or 45 kilometres an hour blowing the fire toward Behchokǫ̀.

Overnight, the fire burned into part of Behchokǫ̀ and consumed three homes. The community of about 2,000 people remains under an evacuation order, with many residents fleeing to Yellowknife’s Multiplex.

Green said 1,050 people have registered at the evacuation centre in Yellowknife, but she does not know how many people have left for Fort Providence, Enterprise and Hay River.

She said about 125 people remain in Behchokǫ̀, but that they have “assigned roles” as part of the response ot the wildfire.

In an update at 3:25 p.m. on Wednesday, N.W.T. Fire said the fire has exploded in size. Previously recorded at just over 63,000 hectares (630 square kilometres), it is now measured at more than 100,000 hectares (1,000 square kilometres).

Thompson said the territory has so far received the resources necessary to fight the fire. He said 20 firefighters had come from Alaska this week with another 20 expected to arrive on Friday from New Brunswick.

He said the N.W.T. has spent about $30 million combating wildfires so far this season, with five communities having had to evacuate so far.

Cochrane said the territory has given the federal government a “heads up” of its financial situation, noting the wildfire season still has a ways to go before it’s over.

“We’re not done spending,” she said.

Too soon to know if highway needs repairs

The fire burned over Highway 3 between kilometres 248 and 279. It is 2.5 kilometres east of Frank Channel, five kilometres northeast of Edzo and 45 kilometres northwest of Yellowknife.

On Wednesday afternoon, the Department of Infrastructure said Highway 3 was closed once again due to the fire.

Officials faced several questions about the long-term implications of the highway being closed.

Archie said her department continues to monitor the situation and may allow “priority vehicles” through to deliver essential goods “when safe to do so.” The highway is the only road access that links Yellowknife to the south.

She said it was also too soon to know whether the highway would need any repairs.

Jay Boast, a spokesperson for the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs, said the territory has “many resources” it can call upon in the event of an extended emergency.

“I know there can be some frustration in not having what would seem like a specific answer, but we would assess the various factors that are at play and what the barriers are to providing whatever service it is,” he said.

“The way that the N.W.T. emergency plan is set up is to not have specific rigid plans, but rather to have resources that can be used to solve problems based on the situation at the given time.”

N.W.T. Fire says the wildfire moved 20 kilometres in less than four hours Tuesday, as extreme winds drove it west.

The Stagg River power station and the fibre optic line along Highway 3 have not yet been compromised.

Fire crews have not yet been able to assess what structures, if any, have been lost along Highway 3, and are focusing on protecting the rest of Behchokǫ̀.

Six fire crews are working around the community to put up sprinkler lines and put out hot spots.