Evacuation of Hay River underway as fire poses 'a significant threat' to the N.W.T. community

Firefighters in Hay River, N.W.T. are moving to a "safe location" as efforts to subdue the wildfire burning just south of the community were overwhelmed by what officials called a "blow-up event" that led to a kilometres-wide flame front.

According to a release sent on Friday afternoon, south-southwest winds created weather conditions that caused the "flame front moving parallel to the highway into Hay River." 

"It's been moving incredibly fast," said Mike Westwick, N.W.T. Fire information officer. 

"The reality is it's a significant threat that it reaches the town." 

Patrick Bergen, the assistant senior administrative officer for the Town of Hay River said the fire was progressing to the west end of town.

As of 3 p.m. on Friday, the fire was still around 10 kilometres from the town, Westwick said, however, it's too dangerous for anyone to monitor its movement. 

Crews won't know whether or not the fire reached the community until the next morning, he said.

Westwick said a "blow-up event" is when dry, windy weather conditions, similar to what Hay River faced Friday, cause extreme fire behaviour. 

These conditions led to firefighters and aircrafts being pulled back to a "safe location."

Westwick described the sky in Hay River as "blanketed in thick, dark smoke." 

Everyone in Hay River who isn't a member of a fire crew is being told to leave immediately — including essential workers. Jay Boast, spokesperson for the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs, said Friday afternoon approximately 100 people are still in the community but it is not clear how many of those are firefighters.

At around 5:55 p.m. the same day, Westwick said that approximately 60 people were on the first flight out of Hay River and between 30 to 40 cars went through the checkpoint heading south.

The first flight departed at around 6:45 p.m. on Friday and a second final plane was on its way to Hay River to pick up the mayor, senior administrative officer, remaining residents, essential workers and volunteers at that time.

Shortly after 3:15 p.m. Friday, the town posted to its Facebook page, saying anyone remaining in the community should head to the airport for an evacuation flight for their own safety. In a Facebook comment at 3:56 p.m., the Town of Hay River wrote that it wasn't immediately clear where the plane would be heading.

At 3:55 p.m., the N.W.T. government warned that anyone who stays in Hay River does so at their own risk, adding that "there will be no emergency services or response available."

Jane Groenewegen, a Hay River resident and former MLA, says her husband Rick Groenewegen is among the residents leaving. He was in the community helping emergency personnel. 

She said her husband sent her a text that he would be boarding a military Hercules plane, but was unsure where he'd be heading. 

"I'm concerned about the community, more about the people," Jane said. "I just hope nobody gets hurt." 

In a news release, N.W.T. Fire said crews are developing plans in case the fire breaches the town, including activating a sprinkler system and firefighting efforts.

The news comes shortly after an update from N.W.T. Fire that said fire activity was expected to pick up around the community due to dry, hot and windy conditions.