As communities across the Northwest Territories prepare to receive more returning residents, officials are cautioning that many of the wildfires which spurred evacuations in the first place are still active – something that may not change until regions get snow.
“I would like to prepare evacuees for what they expect to come home to,” Shane Thompson, minister of environment and climate change for the territory, said in a media update Thursday. “No return to any community will be without risk.”
So far, more than 2,000 people have returned to the Northwest Territories by plane, while more than 650 vehicles have been logged travelling northbound into the territory, officials say. The deadline for evacuated residents to register for flights back to the territory has been extended until 10 p.m. MDT on Thursday, and officials say residents can visit the government’s website or call at 1-888-383-6649 to pre-register for a spot on an airplane back. The website has been periodically experiencing disruptions, so those struggling to open it should use the number to call, officials said.
Essential workers are setting up the services that will be needed for residents to return, such as healthcare services. Michael St. Amour, mayor of Enterprise, said in Thursday’s update that crews are working on re-establishing the power grid and properties are being assessed.He added that they’re still seeing hotspots “basically all around the community,” and that officials will be looking at their return plan on Friday to see what is feasible.
He said that residents should be aware that it won’t be just business as usual even when they are able to come back. There may be regions blocked off for residents’ safety, or new speed restrictions in place.
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