Fort Good Hope, N.W.T., under evacuation order as wildfire threatens

Fort Good Hope, N.W.T., is under evacuation order as a wildfire threatens the community of around 500 people.

The community issued the evacuation order and declared a state of emergency on Saturday afternoon due to danger from a new human-caused wildfire, fire VQ001-24.

The fire is currently five hectares in size, and is about 3.5 kilometres northeast of the community, according to N.W.T. Fire spokesperson Thomas Bentham.

He said community members will be evacuated to Norman Wells, N.W.T.

Chief Collin Pierrot told CBC that residents would be evacuated by plane, but could not say if any community members have yet been evacuated.

In a Facebook post, Pierrot told residents to meet at the community band office to prepare for the evacuation. 

“Please pack light and pack your important paperwork, ID, and most importantly your medication,” he wrote.

In a 3:45 p.m. update, N.W.T. Fire said  airtankers and helicopters are fighting the fire from the air, while local firefighters are working to contain it on the ground.

“Additional crews are on the way,” the update said. 

At 4 p.m., N.W.T. Fire said there is a chance the fire will reach the community in the next 24 hours with overnight wind shifts to the east and northeast.

The Town of Norman Wells posted an update on Facebook saying preparations are underway to host evacuees from Fort Good Hope in the town’s community hall and school gym. 

Anyone in Norman Wells who can or volunteer or assist the effort is asked to contact Norman Wells Fire Chief Brandon Scott at +1 (867) 688-0683.

Leaving by boat

Fort Good Hope elder Frank T’seleie told CBC  he and his partner are planning to evacuate the community by boat to his fish camp by the Mackenzie River.

He said the community government has provided them and others planning to leave by boat with gasoline for the trip.

“We’re just packing up the food, camp supplies. If need be, we’ll just jump in the boat and away we go. There’s cabins along the river so no problem,” he said.