Overview
- The Village of Fort Simpson issued a formal evacuation order at 7:10 p.m. Sunday and directed about 1,300 residents to the Yellowknife Multiplex for reception and lodging.
- Fire FS016 is out of control, has grown into the thousands of hectares and was located roughly seven kilometres west of Fort Simpson Airport as officials reported observable growth toward the community.
- Residents still in Fort Simpson were ordered Monday evening to shelter in place at the local recreation centre and were warned that local services and supports will be limited.
- Incident command has prioritized aerial response using airtankers and helicopters with more than 50 wildland firefighters assigned when safe, but heavy smoke, wind shifts and the recent crash that killed three firefighting crew have constrained operations.
- Hot, dry conditions across the Northwest Territories have produced more than 100 active fires and strained ferry and highway evacuation routes, which could limit supply lines and prolong displacement for evacuees.