A look at fires, evacuations in N.W.T. and B.C.
By The Canadian Press on August 19, 2023.
Some 20,000 people from Yellowknife and thousands more from other communities in the Northwest Territories have been ordered to leave due to nearby wildfires. Evacuees leave with a trailer of belongings after a wildfire evacuation alert was upgraded to an order and they were forced to leave the Wilden neighbourhood near Knox Mountain, in Kelowna, B.C., Friday, Aug. 18, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Here’s a look at the fires by the numbers: Yellowknife Distance between Yellowknife and the fire: about 15 kilometres Size of the blaze: 1,669 square kilometres. Population of Yellowknife: approximately 20,000 people Residents ordered to evacuate: all of Yellowknife and thousands in other N.W.T. communities. Percentage of residents who have evacuated: 95 per cent Number of wildfires burning in the N.W.T: 236 West Kelowna Size of the fire that has spread around West Kelowna: 105 square kilometres, but officials say it is likely larger Population of West Kelowna: approximately 38,000 people Number of West Kelowna properties ordered to evacuate: about 10,700. Number of West Kelowna properties on evacuation alert: about 9,500. Properties damaged: a “significant” number. Number of wildfires burning in B.C.: 380. This report by The Canadian Press was first published August 19, 2023. 17
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