Here's what it looks like in the N.W.T. as fires rage

CTV National News: Life returns to Yellowknife Bill Fortier reports on Yellowknife residents being allowed to return to work, school and their lives in the capital city.

The Northwest Territories is the latest Canadian region to order evacuations and declare states of emergency in the face of raging wildfires.

Across the vast, dry landscape, 236 fires are burning across the territory, the government's website shows. To date, about 21,262 kilometres of land is being affected, this is about four times the area of P.E.I.

Since May, fires have been active across the territory but in the past week blazes have moved dangerously close to homes forcing some areas to evacuate.

Boundary Creek, Wildfire smoke fills the air at Boundary Creek, Northwest Territories about 25 kilometers east of Yellowknife, on Tuesday Aug. 15, 2023. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Bill Braden)

A lack of rain with winds sweeping towards cities and towns elevated the fire risk, forcing the City of Yellowknife and the Government of the N.W.T. to each declare states of emergency.

On Monday residents from Hay River, Enterprise, K’atl’odeeche First Nation, Fort Smith and surrounding communities were evacuated. A fire continues to move closer to Yellowknife but no orders to leave have been issued.

yellowknife Heavy smoke from nearby wildfires fills the sky in Yellowknife on Tuesday, August 15, 2023. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Angela Gzowski)

The impact of the infernos can be seen across the territory as people are being airlifted out of areas due to highways being blocked.

The rescue operation is one of the largest in N.W.T. history. So far six community evacuations have happened this wildfire season, Environment and Climate Change Minister Shane Thompson said on Monday.

This is what it looks like on the ground across the N.W.T.

Carmen Braden Carmen Braden watches a smoke plume roll over Prosperous Lake near Yellowknife on Sunday, Aug.13, 2023. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Bill Braden)

Witnessing the forest fire in #NWT and seeing what the communities are going through is heartbreaking! It is unprecedented and dangerous! Climate change is indeed altering forested ecosystems seriously! pic.twitter.com/znsyS5ZXaU

— Homa Kheyrollah Pour (@HomaKrp) August 15, 2023

 

With all eyes on Hawaii my hometown of Hay River NWT 🇨🇦, a lesser known part of the world, is also under threat of fire. My sisters family was evacuated yesterday and the Town of Enterprise has been wiped off the map. pic.twitter.com/d3AzdBvW83

— NICULERO77 (@nvojacek5) August 15, 2023

The newest addition to my fleet of Honda pumps. Three inch. 72,000 litres per hour. Installed with a proper gated Y, just like any former smokeater would do. I'm fully prepared now. Theres forest fires all around us at Pontoon Lake, 30 km outside Yellowknife, NWT. pic.twitter.com/AjIbFXywyx

— Garth Wallbridge - I ignore all anonymous posters. (@garthwallbridge) August 15, 2023

Woke up to blue sky our first day in Hay River and only hours later driving through a horrific scene being evacuated! Absolutely devastated to experience such tragedy today! Praying for all the local residents! #nwt #fires pic.twitter.com/wQTifdFqv3

— Jen (Perry) Weigel (@TheJenPerry) August 14, 2023