Evacuation order issued for wildfire-threatened Sambaa K'e, N.W.T.

An evacuation alert has been issued for the wildfire-threatened community of Sambaa K'e, N.W.T., according to the territory's Department of Municipal and Community Affairs.

In an email to CBC News early Wednesday afternoon, department spokesperson Jay Boast confirmed the evacuation order and said an evacuation centre was being set up in Fort Simpson, N.W.T.

According to N.W.T. Fire, the wildfire is about 30 kilometres away from the community and has consumed nearly 100,000 hectares of land on both sides of the border, including nearly 50,000 hectares of land within the N.W.T. 

Jessica Davey-Quantick, a fire information officer with N.W.T. Fire, has said it has become "the biggest fire of concern in the territory." 

Sambaa K'e is a community of less than 100 people in the Dehcho region, about 150 kilometres south of Fort Simpson.

In an interview later in the day with Lawrence Nayallay, the host of CBC's Trail's End, Boast said the evacuation  — a decision reached jointly by the community and the territory —  was a "little bit different" than other evacuations that have been declared in the N.W.T. this year. 

That's because Sambaa K'e is a fly-in only community during the summer months, and Boast said it was important to make the call before the wildfire put its airport at risk.

"Obviously being able to rely on the airport to get people out is very important, so it was felt that at this time, it was time to do the evacuation." 

How is the fire being fought?

One of the considerations in the evacuation declaration was weather conditions. Davey-Quantick told CBC News winds are expected to start blowing the fire toward the community. 

She said two firefighting crews, two helicopters, and ignition specialists are on the ground in Samba K'e. 

Mike Fancie, a community engagement officer with the Yukon government, said his territory is pitching in by deploying an ignition specialist and a trainee to help fight the fire in Samba K'e. 

Davey-Quantick said critical infrastructure has been protected with sprinklers and crews are working to build a 40-meter-wide firebreak. They're also working to protect individual houses, she said.

What's happening in Fort Simpson?

An evacuation centre has been set up at the community hall in Fort Simpson. Once evacuees arrive there, Boast said they can expect cots and food services. 

It's a situation that Fort Simpson Mayor Sean Whelly was prepared for. 

He said he'd been informed earlier in the week to be prepared for evacuees from Samba K'e in his community if the fire started to move too close. 

"There are a lot of family ties and friends and connections between Sambaa K'e and Fort Simpson, Łı́ı́dlı̨ı̨ Kų́ę́ First Nation," he said. "This is a second home for many of the folks from Sambaa K'e."

Whelly said the community was ready with cots and bedding for up to 80 people. The cost of setting it up, he said, would be covered by the Department of Community Affairs. 

Whelly said the village will work with the territorial government departments to arrange accommodations for people who can't stay in the community hall.