Air quality advisories put in place as smoke blankets several N.W.T. communities
Yellowknife, Fort Providence open clean air spaces to public
Much of the Northwest Territories was blanketed in smoke on Friday, prompting Environment and Climate Change Canada and the N.W.T. government to issue air quality advisories for several communities.
Affected areas include Fort Providence, Kakisa-Chan Lake, Fort Resolution including Highway 6, Fort Simpson, Jean Marie River, Hay River, Enterprise, Wekweèt, Whatì, Behchokǫ̀ and Yellowknife.
The Air Quality Health Index in all of those places is currently at very high risk, with little improvement expected by Saturday night.
The territory is advising residents to limit time outdoors, and reschedule or cancel outdoor sports, activities and events.
The City of Yellowknife's fieldhouse track and playground is available for residents to get a break from the smoky air, along with the Multiplex lobby area, the Yellowknife Public Library, and the Visitors Centre.
In Fort Providence, the hamlet says its community centre is open to the public — and equipped with air purifiers and air conditioning.
People most likely to be impacted by wildfire smoke include those aged 65 and older, pregnant people, infants and young children, people with an existing illness or chronic health condition and people who work outdoors.
Community events still moving forward
Yellowknife's iconic Ramble and Ride festival says it's still moving forward, despite the smoky conditions.
The event received a donation of 50 N95 masks for staff and volunteers ahead of today's opening, according to festival coordinator Amber O'Reilly.
The donation came from Juniper Health, a wellness centre in the city.
"We're encouraging the public to mask up," O'Reilly says, "But we'll hope the smoke clears up over the day."