NWT Emergency Response Update – August 15, 2023 8:05 PM
Press Release
August 15, 2023
The NWT Territorial Emergency Management Organization is fully activated. The next Public Safety Bulletin can be expected Wednesday, August 16.
Current Status
Several NWT communities have been evacuated due to wildfires.
Evacuation Notices, Alerts and Orders for a community are issued by the Community Government.
> Level 1 – Evacuation Notice: To advise you that an emergency event, such as a wildfire or flood, may present an increased risk to your community and could endanger life or property.
> Level 2 – Evacuation Alert: You may be at risk. Get ready to leave on short notice.
> Level 3 – Evacuation Order: You are in danger. Leave now – follow all directions from officials.
Status of South Slave Region communities and area
> Enterprise – Evacuation Order
> Fort Smith – Evacuation Order
> Hay River – Evacuation Order
> K’atl’odeeche First Nation – Evacuation Order
> Kakisa – Evacuation Alert
> All other South Slave communities – No advisories, alerts or orders in place. [Aug 15, 1630hrs]
Designated Reception Centre for South Slave evacuees
You can call a pathfinder to ask questions and get more information:
- Pathfinder: 867-875-2822
Evacuees receiving supports that were previously in Grande Prairie are being relocated to St. Albert. Evacuees need to go to the Grande Prairie Reception Centre if they require bussing to the new centre.
Reception services in Grande Prairie will cease on August 15.
- Reception Centre in Grande Prairie, Alberta.
- Address: Alliance Church, 15502 102 St, Grande Prairie AB T8X 0J6
- Phone: 780-876-4910
- Registration/Reception Centre in St. Albert, Alberta
- Address: Servus Place at 400 Campbell Road. Use the South Entrance
- Phone: 780-418-6087
Evacuees that are evacuating via roadway and driving into Alberta, and require evacuation supports, should go to the St. Albert Registration/Reception Centre.
Evacuees that are evacuating via air are currently being directed to the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo. Alberta is establishing numerous reception centers to support surge capacity for evacuees from the Northwest Territories. Additional locations for those evacuating by air may be identified.
If you have self-evacuated to High Level or Peace River you must arrange your own accommodations, such as with friends and family. There is no designated Reception/Evacuation Centre in High Level or Peace River. There are no accommodations or services for South Slave evacuees in these two locations.
Any Evacuees in Yellowknife
The Stanton Legacy Building and the Stanton Territorial Hospital is not an Evacuation Centre.
- The Stanton Legacy Building in Yellowknife is being used to accommodate and care for patients who have been moved from the affected communities of Hay River and Fort Smith.
- Anyone stranded in Yellowknife from South Slave, Boundary Creek, North Ingraham Trail – please call 867-444-0618.
- Identify your needs to this person and they will work to find information for you, answer questions for you, and help you as best as we are able.
- This is a rapidly evolving situation and every effort is being made to ensure that people are cared for, have direct contact to information they need, and first and foremost safe.
Status of Dehcho Region communities and area
> Jean Marie River – Evacuation Order
- The designated Evacuation Centre for Jean Marie River is in Fort Simpson.
> All other Dehcho communities – No advisories, alerts or orders in place. [Aug 15, 1630hrs]
Status of North Slave Region communities and area
> Kam Lake, Grace Lake, Engle Business District (neighborhoods in the City of Yellowknife) – Evacuation Alert
> North Prosperous Lake, North Prelude Lake, all of River Lake for Cabin and Home owners – Evacuation Alert
- Residents need to be prepared to leave within one hour notice should an Evacuation Order be issued. Follow the directions of NWT Fire and Emergency Officials.
> Highway 3: kms 284-320 (Boundary Creek) for Cabin and Home owners – Evacuation Order
- There is no designated Evacuation/Reception Centre for evacuees from Highway 3: kms 284-320 (Boundary Creek). Evacuees must arrange their own accommodations.
> Behchokǫ̀: Edzo and Frank Channel – Evacuation Alert
> All other North Slave communities – No advisories, alerts or orders in place. [Aug 15, 1630hrs]
Status of Sahtu Region communities and area
> All Sahtu communities – No advisories, alerts or orders in place. [Aug 15, 1630hrs]
Status of Beaufort Delta Region communities and area
> Inuvik – Evacuation Notice
> All other Beaufort Delta communities – No advisories, alerts or orders in place. [Aug 15, 1900hrs]
Wildfire Status
> Follow NWT Fire for updates on wildfire:
Highways and Airports
The Highway Conditions Map and Highway Conditions Webpage remains the most up-to-date source for NWT highway status.
Hay River Airport: Airport access restricted to medevac and evacuation operations only (with prior permission) until further notice.
Fort Smith Airport: Airport access restricted to medevac and evacuation operations only (with prior permission) until further notice.
Air Quality
Poor air quality can affect your health and well-being. Click the links below to learn more.
> Wildfire Smoke Exposure Advisory
> Active air quality alerts (Environment Canada)
- 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, Gamètı̀, 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.
Actions Today
- The Territorial Emergency Management Organization (TEMO) along with Regional Emergency Management Organizations (REMO) are supporting emergency response across the territory and are in regular communication with affected communities and supporting agencies.
- Territorial EMO is activated at Level 3 – Full Activation; North Slave EMO is activated at Level 2 – Partial Activation; South Slave EMO is activated at Level 3 – Full Activation; Beaufort Delta EMO is activated at Level 1 – Monitoring.
- The Territorial EMO activated an Incident Management Team including support from Joint Task Force North of the Canadian Armed Forces.
- Territorial and Regional Emergency Management Organizations provide resources for planning, coordination, and support to community emergency management operations.
Priorities for Operations
- The EMO continues major efforts to coordinate activities in support of South Slave and North Slave communities and to monitor conditions across the NWT. This includes:
- Continued emergency response coordination.
- Continued wildfire response.
- Continued support to affected communities and stakeholders.
Health Services
Public Notice: Service Update for Long Term Care, Stanton Territorial Hospital and Yellowknife Primary Care Sites
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:
- Call: 867-767-9168 ext. 15026
- Email: EIDS@gov.nt.ca
Income Assistance
> South Slave – Enterprise, Fort Smith, Hay River, Kátł’odeeche First Nation
Residents of Enterprise, Fort Smith, Hay River and Kátł’odeeche First Nation that received Income Assistance during the month of August 2023 and have been evacuated as a result of the wildfires, will be issued the Emergency Allowance benefit by Education, Culture and Employment.
- The rate of emergency allowance for single applicants is $500 and those with families are $1,000. The emergency allowance payments are being issued and can take up to 48 hours to be deposited.
- If you do not have direct deposit, call Income Security Programs at 1-866-973-7252 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, call the toll-free phone number: 1-866-973-7252.
> Dehcho – Jean Marie River
Residents of Jean Marie River that received Income Assistance during the month of August 2023 and have been evacuated as a result of the wildfires, will be issued the Emergency Allowance benefit by Education, Culture and Employment.
- The rate of emergency allowance for single applicants is $500 and those with families are $1,000. The emergency allowance payments are being issued and can take up to 48 hours to be deposited.
- If you do not have direct deposit, call the Dehcho ECE Regional Service Centre at 1-833-995-7338 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, call the Dehcho ECE Regional Service Centre at 1-833-995-7338 to speak with a Client Services Officer.
> North Slave – Behchokǫ̀ and Surrounding Areas
If you are experiencing financial difficulties and would like to speak to someone about applying for Income Assistance, call the Behchokǫ̀ ECE Community Service Centre at 1-867-392-6201 to speak with a Client Services Officer.
> Beaufort Delta – Inuvik
If you are experiencing financial difficulties and would like to speak to someone about applying for Income Assistance, call the Beaufort Delta ECE Regional Service Centre at 1-867-678-8065 to speak with a Client Services Officer.
Donations
Monetary donations are being accepted by United Way NWT.
Be Ready for Wildfires
> Get your Emergency Kit and essentials packed and ready.
- Make an Emergency Plan and Kit
- Ensure transportation is ready to go
- Prepare pets and service animals
- Listen to directions from emergency management officials you see on the ground
- Stay up to date with alerts and local news
- Stay in touch with loved ones
More Information
> 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.
A public Facebook group is available to mark yourself safe from the 2023 wildfires in the NWT.
If you need to report a missing person, contact the RCMP at 867-669-1111.
Follow the latest emergency alerts here: https://nwtalert.ca/#/
- Download the Alertable emergency app
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