TOPIC: NORTHWEST TERRITORIES

City of Yellowknife lifts fire ban, thanks to recent rain
The City of Yellowknife says recent rain has allowed it to lift a local fire ban that was put in place on July 2.
Canada -North |

Rain around Jean Marie River, N.W.T., prevented fire from moving closer
Rain around Jean Marie River First Nation prevented a wildfire from moving toward the community.
Canada -North |

Jean Marie River, N.W.T., braces for potential evacuation if winds whip up nearby wildfire
Residents in Jean Marie River, N.W.T., are preparing for a potential evacuation of the community if strong winds drive a nearby wildfire closer to town on Wednesday.
Canada -North |
Watch out on Hwy 3, gov't warns — smoke, fire might reach road 80km south of Behchokǫ̀
Wildfires burning about an hour south of Behchokǫ̀, N.W.T., triggered a warning from the government to travellers Wednesday: visibility might be bad in the afternoon, and the fires could reach the highway in the next 24 hours.
Canada -North |

Yellowknife's Old Town parking lot closing for 3 years when work starts on new lift station
The Old Town Parking Lot in Yellowknife will close to the public in three weeks so construction can begin on a new lift station.
Canada -North |

Thebacha Leadership Council calls on Aurora College to protect regional campuses
Fort Smith's Thebacha Leadership Council is calling on the Aurora College and territorial government to protect regional campuses in Fort Smith and Inuvik.
Canada -North |

What's with the white stuff? Why the N.W.T. has so much tree fluff this summer
The increase in tree "fluff" is likely a stress response from poplars, aspen and willows reacting to the dry conditions from the past few years, according to the N.W.T.'s department of Environment and Climate Change.
Canada -North |

Man who murdered N.W.T. RCMP officer in 2007 denied early release
Emrah Bulatci, who was sentenced to life in prison in 2009 with no parole for at least 25 years, applied last year for early parole. An N.W.T. Supreme Court judge decided there is no reasonable prospect of a jury granting Bulatci's early release and so she dismissed the application.
Canada -North |
Smoke, but no danger, as Dempster Highway wildfires burn near Fort McPherson, N.W.T.
Two fires along the Dempster Highway near Fort McPherson are causing smoky conditions, but N.W.T. Fire officials say there is no danger to property or the highway.
Canada -North |

Wildfire at popular camping spot near Yellowknife contained — but not out yet
A wildfire that was burning on multiple islands at a popular camp spot near Yellowknife has been contained at this time.
Canada -North |

Man charged with breaking into Inuvik home, sexual assault
The N.W.T. RCMP say they have charged a man with breaking into an Inuvik home and sexually assaulting a woman inside.
Canada -North |

Staff evacuated from N.W.T. Rayrock mine site due to nearby wildfire
N.W.T. Fire said it recommended the evacuation due to a fire burning about 15 kilometres away from the remediation site. The agency said the evacuation is just a precaution and that crews are monitoring the fire and looking for ways to mitigate its growth.
Canada -North |

N.W.T. launches new bidding system to fill shifts at Stanton Territorial Hospital
The N.W.T. Health and Social Services Authority is asking physicians qualified to work in the territory what it would take for them to work certain shifts, in an effort to out-compete other jurisdictions for summer staffing.
Canada -North |

Throat singing duo PIQSIQ celebrates Inuit culture at Japanese festival
Yellowknife-based throat singing duo PIQSIQ says performing for Japanese fans was a unique celebration of Inuit culture and finding similarities between Arctic and Japanese traditions.
Canada -North |

Owner of lodge on N.W.T.'s Watta Lake worries about fire burning 4 kms away
N.W.T. Fire has said that high winds and dry conditions have caused a wildfire to grow significantly in recent days and that it could reach properties on N.W.T.'s Watta Lake within days.
Canada -North |

Folk on the Rocks prepares for a weekend full of music
Get ready to kick off your shoes and dance under the midnight sun at the biggest musical event in the N.W.T.
Canada -North -Community |

Wildfires expected to approach lodges and cabins 60 km east of Yellowknife within days
The owners of Hearne Lake Lodge were told to expect a threatening wildfire to reach their lodge by July 6.
Canada -North |

'Busy, living healthy and having fun': Young Ulukhaktok wrestlers learn life skills on the mats
The second annual Inuit wrestling tournament in Ulukhaktok, N.W.T., was scheduled for Wednesday night, but cold weather and rainy conditions kept grapplers from competing in the event. Instead, some youth-friendly games were played on the mats before the group moved the gathering indoors.
Canada -North |

Crews put out small fire on Yellowknife's Tin Can Hill
Crews in Yellowknife were called to a fire on Tin Can Hill on Thursday evening. N.W.T. Fire says it's suspected that the fire was caused by a person.
Canada -North |

Ottawa backs 3 emissions reduction projects in Alberta with $6.4M
Three Alberta emissions reduction projects — a heat recovery system, improved natural gas boiler efficiency, and a small-scale biogenic carbon capture and storage project fuelled by manure — are getting a $6.4 million boost from the federal government.
Canada -Calgary |

2 men charged with arson after fire destroys home in Hay River, N.W.T.
Two people in Hay River, N.W.T., are charged with arson, after a home was destroyed on Sunday.
Canada -North |

Inuvik's youth centre to stay closed until end of August
The Inuvik Youth Centre will remain closed until late August due to financial constraints. The centre closed its doors in March and stopped its programming.
Canada -North |

Yellowknifers encouraged to lock up propane, again, as 'huffing' suspected cause of explosion
The head of a youth organization in Yellowknife is repeating a plea she made two years ago — for people to lock up their propane as her organization witnessed a concerning trend of youth huffing the gas.
Canada -North |

Yellowknife brings in fire ban due to 'extremely dry conditions'
The city says the fire ban is due to "extremely dry conditions" and will stay in place until further notice.
Canada -North |

Explosion rocks Yellowknife neighbourhood early Tuesday morning
Emergency services responded to an explosion in a downtown Yellowknife neighbourhood early Tuesday morning. A loud crack at 2:10 a.m. from a property near the corner of 54th Street and 52nd Avenue woke up several residents and drew a small crowd.
Canada -North |