Fort Providence, NWT, has been ordered to evacuate from 8:57 am Sunday.
The members of the community are asked to immediately go to Hay River. Residents who need transport must meet in the community’s sand.
On Saturday an evacuation alert was established on Saturday. According to an update of NWT Fire on Sunday morning, the forest fire grew significantly during the night driven by severe northern winds.
The fire is now two kilometers north of Fort Providence.
NWT Wildfire Mike Westwick information officer described the critical fire situation.
Government wind speed monitors showed little or no wind in the community this morning, but that could change this afternoon, since the north winds are expected to spill the fire to the community.
Westwick said he could get to the community tonight.
“We are worried about the wind forecast for later today,” he told CBC.
The structure protection specialists were in Fort Providence several days ago and installed sprinklers and a water cannon in the community advantage.
The houses in the perimeter of Fort Providence are equipped with sprinklers to mitigate potential losses, he said.
“We are working to do everything possible to protect that community and efforts will continue throughout the day,” said Westwick.
Mayor Danny Beaulieu told CBC on Saturday night that buses were on their way to the community of 700 people to transport residents without vehicles.
The Hay River Fire Department is waiting in case the fire reaches the Fort Providence, said Beaulieu.
Westwick said Beaulieu and his team are “very, highly experienced and efficient to keep their people safe.”
“They are working tirelessly at this time to coordinate that evacuation and keep the people safe,” he said.
Highway 3, the road that runs north to Yellowknife from Fort Providence, closed on Saturday afternoon due to the activity of forest fires and remains closed on Sunday morning.
The Deh Cho bridge, which crosses the Mackenzie River on the road to the there, has periodically lowered a lane due to construction, but Beaulieu confirmed that it is currently open to two traffic lanes.
