Wildfire Forces Crews to Retreat, Threatens Key Hub Point of Hay River, NWT

Northwest Territories Premier Caroline Cochrane and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith answer media questions at the City of Calgary’s reception centre for Yellowknife residents who were evacuated due to wildfires, on Aug. 25, 2023. The Canadian Press/Dave Chidley

Wildfires advanced closer to the transportation hub point of Hay River in the Northwest Territories Friday, forcing crews to retreat and non-essential workers to flee.

“Extremely high temperatures and strong southwest winds have created a blow-up event that has overwhelmed firefighters at the north end of the fire,” fire information officer Jessica Davey-Quantick told reporters in a conference call Friday night.