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The City of Yellowknife (City) and Yellowknives Dene First Nation (YKDFN) extend our gratitude and thanks to everyone who supported and continues to support the wildfire defense efforts across the Northwest Territories. We also are so appreciative for the support provided to all our residents while they have had to evacuate.

Since the announcement that the Behchoko/Yellowknife Fire (ZF015) was being held, the City and YKDFN have been proactively working with the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) to develop a phased plan to ensure the safe return of residents from Dettah, N’Dilo and Yellowknife.

Commencing August 29, 2023, YKDFN and the City began contacting essential personnel and critical businesses to re-establish basic services.  It is anticipated that these individuals will return to our communities on September 4 and 5, 2023 (subject to status of Highway 1).  As outlined in our re-entry plans, the Evacuation Order can be reduced to an Evacuation Alert once essential services in Yellowknife, Dettah and N’Dilo are confirmed to be ready for everyone returning home. This is scheduled to be ready by Wednesday, September 6, 2023 at 12:00p.m., barring any increase in wildfire activity and risk along Highway 1 or near Yellowknife between now and then.

Residents must all be prepared for a reduction in services and businesses that may not be open, or may only be able to provide limited services.  Stanton Territorial Hospital is working on re-opening with limited service. Residents will need to make the decision if they are comfortable coming back with these reduced medical services available. Grocery stores, pharmacies, gas stations and other essential services are also working hard to open as soon as possible.

Safety is a priority for re-entry. For those residents returning by road, please visit https://www.dot.gov.nt.ca/Highways for information on Highway 1. We encourage people to stagger their entry if possible and do not relocate to northern Alberta in advance of September 6th.   Communities in Northern Alberta are currently at capacity and are unable to provide additional services at this time.  Wildfires are still active in some areas of the highway on the route home. Please stay prepared for potential changes in the situation and be prepared for delays. 

For those residents returning by air, please visit https://www.gov.nt.ca/public-safety as more information becomes available in the upcoming days.   

For the most up-to-date information please visit www.yellowknife.ca  and follow the City’s social media pages.