In photos: Entire city of Yellowknife ordered to leave as wildfire burns nearby
As a wildfire barreled toward a territorial capital in Canada, officials ordered an extraordinary citywide evacuation of thousands of people Wednesday night. Firefighters were struggling to contain the blaze, which was about 17 kilometers, or just over 10 miles, outside Yellowknife, the capital of the Northwest Territories, officials said. It was expected to reach the city by the weekend.
Lifelong Yellowknife resident Chad Hinchey was on the road by 3 p.m. Wednesday, a couple of hours before residents were ordered to leave, and drove almost nine hours to High River in Northern Alberta.Chad Hinchey/Supplied
A firefighting plane aids in the fight against wildfires raging near Yellowknife.SYLVIA WEBSTER/AFP/Getty Images
Video screengrab provided Jordan Straker shows vehicles driving on the freeway as people evacuate from Yellowkife.JORDAN STRAKER/AFP/Getty Images
People without vehicles lineup to register for a flight to Calgary, Alberta in Yellowknife.Bill Braden/The Canadian Press
Wildfire smoke fills the air over Yellowknife.Bill Braden/The Canadian Press
Yellowknife residents leave the city on Highway 3, the only highway in or out of the community, after an evacuation order was given due to the proximity of a wildfire in Yellowknife.PAT KANE/Reuters
Smoke hangs in the air on the outskirts of Yellowknife.PAT KANE/Reuters
A road sign provides updates on traffic conditions on the only highway in or out of Yellowknife.PAT KANE/Reuters
Canadian Armed Forces soldiers from 2e Battalion, Royal 22e Regiment arriving in Yellowknife.Master Corporal Alana Morin/Supplied
Canadian Armed Forces soldiers from 2e Battalion, Royal 22e Regiment and 5 Combat Engineer Regiment, construct a firebreak in Parker Recreation Field in Yellowknife.Master Corporal Alana Morin/Supplied
Smoke from nearby wildfires fills the sky in Yellowknife.Angela Gzowski/The Canadian Press
Jay Bulckaert and Robin Wasicuna clear trees from a backyard before an evacuation order was issued to entire city.PAT KANE/Reuters
Canadian Armed Forces soldiers from 2e Battalion, Royal 22e Régiment and 5 Combat Engineer Regiment head to the forest behind Parker Recreation Field in Yellowknife.Master Corporal Alana Morin/Supplied
Trees being cut and cleared to create a fire break near Yellowknife.PAT KANE/Reuters
Workers clear trees and create a fire break near Yellowknife.PAT KANE/Reuters
Jay Bulckaert and Karen Wasicuna cut down trees beside her home in Yellowknife before an evacuation order was issued to entire city.PAT KANE/Reuters
Vehicles leave Yellowknife after a evacuation order was issued for the entire city.PAT KANE/Reuters
Heavy smoke from nearby wildfires fills the sky in Yellowknife.Angela Gzowski/The Canadian Press
Yellowknife residents leave the city on Highway 3, the only highway in or out of the community, after an evacuation order was given due to the proximity of a wildfire in Yellowknife.PAT KANE/Reuters
Canadian Armed Forces soldiers from 2e Battalion, Royal 22e Regiment (2 R22eR), and 5 Combat Engineer Regiment, construct a firebreak in Parker Recreation Field in Yellowknife.Master Corporal Alana Morin/Supplied