Northwest Territories Starts Plans to Lift Evacuation as Wildfire Battle Sees Shift

Vehicles line up for fuel at Fort Providence, N.W.T., on the only road south from Yellowknife, on Aug. 17, 2023. The Canadian Press/Jeff McIntosh

Fire-weary Northwest Territories is preparing for tens of thousands of people to return home after a much-needed win in the battle against a blaze that was threatening Yellowknife.

The status of a wildfire located 17 kilometres from the city’s edge was changed to “held” Monday after a weekend of cooler temperatures and a small amount of rain helped firefighting efforts.