Residents remaining in Fort Simpson, Northwest Territories, amidst a nearby wildfire have been directed to stay put until further notice. The Village of Fort Simpson issued this directive on Monday evening following a previous evacuation order on Sunday, urging the approximately 1,300 community members to relocate to Yellowknife, a distance of about 600 kilometers away.
Fire information officer Forrest Tower expressed concerns about potential fire impact on the community, stating, “There is a likelihood that we do have fire impact into the community into the overnight period.” The worst-case scenario could involve the fire entering the entire community.
For those still in Fort Simpson needing shelter, the local recreation center is open, but residents must bring their own supplies including food, water, and bedding as pets are not permitted. The fire labeled FS016 had grown to over 8,900 hectares by Monday afternoon, located about seven kilometers west of the community’s airport.
Fire officials reported that the fire had shown observable growth towards Fort Simpson by 5:30 p.m., with elevated winds expected to intensify fire behavior throughout Monday evening and overnight, possibly bringing the fire closer to the village. Despite the uncertainty, Fort Simpson Mayor Les Wright noted that the community appeared safe so far, with people seeking refuge at the recreation center and limited hotspots identified.
The Northwest Territories Health and Social Services Authority announced the closure of the Fort Simpson Health Centre, with emergency medical services available only for firefighting personnel and official responders. Additionally, an evacuation center has been established in Yellowknife for Fort Simpson evacuees, while the community of Wrigley was also instructed to evacuate due to a nearby wildfire, with residents redirected to Fort Smith.