Yellowknife: The 20,000 residents of Yellowknife, the capital of the Northwest Territories, have been given until noon on Friday (18:00 GMT) to leave the city as a wildfire approaches. The fire, which is currently within 16 kilometers (10 miles) of the city, is one of more than 200 that are burning in the Northwest Territories.
The evacuation order was issued by the Northwest Territories government on Wednesday evening. Residents are being asked to leave by road or on commercial and military flights. The only road out of Yellowknife is the Yellowknife Highway, which is currently open but may be closed at any time due to the fire.
The evacuation is being carried out in an orderly manner, with police and fire crews helping residents to get to safety. However, the situation is fluid and it is possible that the evacuation order could be extended.
The wildfire is the latest in a series of fires that have ravaged the Northwest Territories this summer. The fires have been caused by a combination of factors, including hot, dry weather and high winds. The fires have destroyed homes, businesses, and infrastructure, and have forced thousands of people to evacuate their homes.
The Northwest Territories government has declared a state of emergency in response to the wildfires. The government is providing financial assistance to evacuees and is working to bring in more firefighters and resources to fight the fires.
The evacuation of Yellowknife is a major operation, and it is likely to take several days to complete. The government is urging residents to be patient and to follow the instructions of the authorities.
The wildfires in the Northwest Territories are a reminder of the dangers of climate change. The Arctic is warming at twice the rate of the rest of the world, and this is making the region more susceptible to wildfires. The Northwest Territories government is working to adapt to the changing climate, but the wildfires are a reminder that there is still much work to be done.