Dear Members,
As you all know yesterday the GNWT declared an NWT wide state of emergency due to the wildfire situation in the NWT.
The GNWT has just put out the following message "Please be advised that due to the current wildfire situation in the NWT, we are asking that non-essential travel to or through the NWT be avoided at this time. Residents of communities and areas currently under evacuation order should not return home. This inculdes Hay River Katlodeeche First Nation Reserve, Fort Smith, Enterprise, Jean Marie River, Yellowknife, N'dilo and Dettah, and the Ingraham Trail."
A few resources for you if needed:
Airline cancellation policies:
WestJet: https://www.westjet.com/en-ca/get-travel-ready/advisories#travel-advisories
AirCanada: https://www.aircanada.com/ca/en/aco/home/book/travel-news-and-updates/2023/yellowknife-wildfires.html#/
Canadian North: To support impacted travellers, they are offering flexible modifications and cancellations for all routes associated with Yellowknife and Hay River until Aug 28, 2023 with no additonal fees. For assistance call 1-800-267-1247 or email contact@canadiannorth.com
Air North: https://www.flyairnorth.com/flights/travel-updates
Cabin Radio: https://cabinradio.ca/ (The best source of up to date information, huge thank you Cabin Radio crew!!)
FIRMS: https://firms.modaps.eosdis.nasa.gov/usfs/map/
FireSmoke.ca: https://firesmoke.ca/forecasts/current/
Windy: https://www.windy.com/
NWT Fire: https://www.gov.nt.ca/ecc/en/services/wildfire-update
For up to date information on individual communities and their evacuation and fire updates it is best to follow their social media pages.
I am sure you are all very familiar with these resources but thought I would try to put them in one handy place for you. I am sorry to those of you that are having to deal with the wildfire situation, I hope you are all ok, and that your guests are all ok. If there is anything at all that I can help with please let me know, best to reach me on my cell phone 867-876-1200.
Stay safe everyone.
All the best,
Donna Lee Demarcke
Chief Executive Officer
NWT Tourism