Wildfire threatens evacuated village in N.W.T. as flames reach nearby highways

The southeast flank of the Fort Simpson wildfire, designated as FS016 by the government of the Northwest Territories, is seen Sunday, June 28, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Handout - NWT Fire

YELLOWKNIFE — Residents of an evacuated village in the Northwest Territories are on high alert this morning as a wildfire creeps dangerously close to their homes.

The territory’s wildfire agency says the out-of-control blaze has been growing towards the village of Fort Simpson and has reached at least one highway west of the main townsite.

The fire is estimated to be more than 100 square kilometres in size and has prompted a shelter-in-place order for those still in town.

An evacuation order was issued Sunday for the island community of 1,300 people, as the fire burned about seven kilometres away.

Most residents have been staying at a gymnasium-turned-evacuation-centre in Yellowknife, nearly 700 kilometres east of Fort Simpson.

The village says local and territorial fire crews would work to supply sprinkler systems and fight the blaze as required — provided it was safe to do so.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 30, 2026.