Evacuation order issued for wildfire-threatened Sambaa K’e, N.W.T. | CBC News

An evacuation order has been issued in Sambaa K’e, N.W.T., according to the territory’s Department of Municipal and Community Affairs, as a wildfire burns nearby.

In an email to CBC News early Wednesday afternoon, department spokesperson Jay Boast confirmed the evacuation order and said an evacuation centre was being set up in Fort Simpson.

“As this is an active situation, details are unfolding but we will update as possible,” he wrote. 

Boast said a regional emergency management organization had also been started up, and was providing logistical support.

N.W.T. Fire said the fire near Sambaa K’e has consumed nearly 100,000 hectares of land on both sides of the border, including nearly 50,000 hectares of land within the N.W.T. 

“This is now the biggest fire of concern in the territory,” said Jessica Davey-Quantick, a fire information officer with N.W.T. Fire. 

The fire is about 30 kilometres south of Sambaa K’e, she said, but winds are expected to start blowing the fire toward the community.

Davey-Quantick said two crews, two helicopters, as well prevention and ignition specialists are on the ground. 

She said critical infrastructure is protected by sprinklers and crews are working on a firebreak that’s 40 metres wide. Davey-Quantick said crews are also working on protecting individual houses. 

Sambaa K’e is a community of under 100 in the Dehcho, about 150 kilometres south of Fort Simpson, N.W.T. It’s only accessible by road in the winter months. 

Fort Simpson Mayor Sean Whelly said Wednesday that he was informed earlier in the week to be prepared for evacuees from Sambaa K’e to arrive in his community if the fire got too close. 

“There are a lot of family ties and friends and connections between Sambaa K’e and Fort Simpson, Łı́ı́dlı̨ı̨ Kų́ę́ First Nation,” he said. 

“This is a second home for many of the folks from Sambaa K’e.”

Whelly said they have the community hall ready with cots and bedding for up to 80 people. He said the direct costs from this will be paid by the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs. 

Whelly said the village will work with the territorial government departments to arrange accommodations for people who can’t stay in the community hall.