The Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) have been deployed to help the Northwest Territories as wildfires threaten multiple communities in the area, several of which are under evacuation orders.
It comes after the territorial government requested assistance from the feds due to growing difficulty fighting wildfires.
The CAF will assist with 鈥渇irefighting efforts, air transportation, and planning, co-ordination and logistics,鈥� tweeted Minister of National Defence Bill Blair.
Minister of Emergency Preparedness Harjit Sajjan tweeted on Saturday afternoon CAF members 鈥渁re mobilizing and ready to assist鈥� as wildfires approach some northern communities.
Due to the increased wildfire threat, several communities along the boundary between the Northwest Territories and Alberta have been ordered to evacuate.
The town of Fort Smith, N.W.T., with a population of approx. 2,500, on Saturday and asked its residents to evacuate in a calm manner, according to the town鈥檚 website.
The post says residents had eight hours to leave through Highway 5 after a recommendation by Parks Canada. Parks Canada and the territorial government say as of Saturday they are closely monitoring the highway and are anticipating road closures depending on fire behaviour and smoke conditions.
Smith鈥檚 Landing First Nations and the region around Slave River must also leave due to nearby fires.
Other areas in the Northwest Territories such as North Prosperous Lake, North Prelude Lake and all of River Lake are under evacuation orders and residents and visitors are being advised to leave their homes no later than Monday morning, according to the .
The wildfires prompted another evacuation order in Fort Fitzgerald, Alta.
The Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo issued the order on Saturday as strong winds from the west were expected to push Wood Buffalo National Park鈥檚 wildfire east, close to communities, according to .
Correction:
This article has been corrected to reflect that the Canadian Armed Forces have been deployed to the Northwest Territories.
