Wekweeti, N.W.T., residents return home as wildfire under control

By The Canadian Press on July 4, 2023.

WEKWEÈTÃŒ, N.W.T. – Residents of a community north of Yellowknife are returning home after the territories’ wildfire agency decided a wildfire burning near the community is now under control.

Wekweeti’s more than 100 residents were ordered to evacuate to Yellowknife last Thursday.

Three wildfires were burning near the community at the time, the closest within two kilometres of its homes.

The wildfire agency says that fire was brought under control Monday after hard work by a team on the ground.

The Tlicho government says flights to return evacuees to the community are leaving Yellowknife on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Two other fires continue to be monitored — one across Snare Lake from the community and one at the lake’s western tip.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 4, 2023.

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