Hundreds of community members have safely evacuated from Liidlii Kue First Nation, Fort Simpson and Wrigley since evacuation orders were issued Sunday night and Monday morning.
A shelter in place order was issued Monday evening for those who remain behind in Liidlii Kue First Nation / Fort Simpson, including emergency personnel as wildfire FS016 has expanded and FS014 has impacted Hwy 1.
Liidlii Kue First Nation, Fort Simpson
N.W.T.’s Health and Social Services Authority has advised that since Monday night, the Fort Simpson Health Centre has been temporarily closed.
“Emergency medical service for firefighting personnel and official emergency responders only remains available at the health centre through the NTHSSA’s Wildfire Paramedic team. This Paramedic team will remain on-site as long as conditions permit, as determined by the local Incident Command. Emergency response personnel in the community will be able to reach the paramedics by radio in the event of any communication outages,” read a message from the authority in the public advisory.
In Yellowknife
Health and social services staff have been on-site to at the Yellowknife Multiplex on 41 Kam Lake Road since Monday.
The staff continue to assist evacuees to navigate needed services. Mental health supports are also being made available on site.
Evacuees are being directed to Primary Care services in Yellowknife and to 911 or the Emergency Department at Stanton Territorial Hospital in case of emergency.
In Wrigley
The authority says the Wrigley Health Cabin has been temporarily shut down following Monday’s evacuation order.
Wrigley community members began sheltering in Fort Smith yesterday where a designated reception centre has been established at the Fort Smith Centennial Arena on Rupert Avenue.
In Fort Smith
Health and social services staff continue to assist evacuees as the evacuation progresses.
Evacuees from Wrigley in need of Primary Care services are being asked to call or present to the Fort Smith Health Centre.
In cases of emergencies, Wrigley evacuees are being advised to call 911 or present to the Health Centre at 41 Breynat Street.
Evacuees who are anticipating medical travel appointments are being directed to contact health services.
Mental health resources are also being made available on site at the Centennial Arena. Resources can also be accessed via crisis lines or online through the mental health services e-portal.
“Any evacuees with upcoming medical travel, or those who are currently outside of their evacuated community on medical travel, can call 867-669-4115 to discuss any potential changes to their arrangements. Wrigley residents in need of Child and Family Services can call 867-621-1122,” read the advisory.
The Fort Simpson Health Centre’s on-call number at 867-695-3232 is still open to the communities of Jean Marie River, Nahanni Butte and Sambaa K’e.
The authority said a community Health Nurse will continue to be made available for virtual support from Yellowknife as well as a virtual Nurse Practitioner for scheduled care services.
The authority added that more service level updates for evacuees will be provided as the evacuation progresses.
Canada Post has also issued service updates for Liidlii Kue / Fort Simpson and Wrigley.
A message issued this morning by Canada Post said with wildfires and evacuation orders affecting mail and parcel delivery for these communities, they have closed the local post offices.
They said incoming mail is being securely held off-site until further notice.
For information about delivery service, Canada Post said customers can head to their delivery service alerts webpage and their @canadaposthelps X account.
Canada Post advised customers can also contact them online via canadapost.ca/support or by telephone at 1-866-607-6301 (TTY: 1-800-267-2797).
