As the 2019 Fire Season begins in the Northwest Territories, RCMP are asking residents to be aware and prepared for alerts, evacuations and precautionary measures that may be necessary.
With the recent fire activity and evacuation of High Level, AB and other communities that are facing burning wildfires, this year, there may be situations in which a community is in close proximity to a burning wildfire, or where the air quality is of concern.
Our North and South Districts, Yellowknife and surrounding areas can be impacted by the smoke from the fires. The air quality index will fluctuate, due to the smoke from the fires.
Our members across the NWT have assisted the various government departments and local agencies when requested. There may be more requests for additional resources as the fires currently burning are subject to unpredictable wind shifts and weather conditions.
Northwest Territories RCMP Emergency Management personnel are fully engaged with other involved agencies on a regular basis. We support the lead agencies responsible for making the decisions as to fire-fighting (Environment and Natural Resources- ENR), road closures (Department of Infrastructure - INF), the Public Safety Division of Municipal and Community Affairs -MACA, Department of Health and Social Services, Yellowknife Health and Social Services, Territorial Emergency Response Committee - TERC and the City of Yellowknife.
Regular updates regarding the fire conditions are being posted on the Government of the Northwest Territories website at www.gov.nt.ca , where you can find Public Safety Alerts.