Northwest Territories wildfire still out of control, evacuation order remains

Evacuees from Yellowknife make their way along Highway 3 at the edge of a burned forest on their way into Fort Providence, N.W.T., Thursday, Aug. 17, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Bill Braden

FORT PROVIDENCE — A wildfire that forced out residents of a Northwest Territories community is still burning out of control.

A wildfire update on Saturday says Fort Providence’s leadership is developing a re-entry plan for the community’s 700 residents and no homes have been lost to flames.

Residents were ordered to leave on Aug. 31 as a wildfire approached the southeastern tip of the community.

Fort Providence was the second major community in the Northwest Territories that was evacuated in August.

The approximately 600 residents of Whati, northwest of Yellowknife, were allowed to return last Friday, over a week after being forced to flee due to a wildfire.

The wildfires contributed to the thick smoke that hovered over large parts of the Prairies last week, forcing Environment Canada to issue air quality cautions.

“Fire weather conditions continue with unseasonably warm, dry weather for much of the territory,” the Saturday update said.

“Water cannons and sprinklers at the edge of the community remain in place.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 8, 2025.