An “out of control” wildfire continues to threaten Fort Smith, N.W.T. but officials took a moment to issue a Facebook update Saturday afternoon assuring community members that the frogs in the beloved frog ponds are “happily hopping about” despite extensive thinning operations in the surrounding area.
Officials in the Northwest Territories held a virtual news conference at 7 p.m. MT (9 p.m. ET) to update residents on the wildfire situation and resulting evacuations.
Yellowknife in Canada’s Northwest Territory evacuated the majority of its residents last week after the city was threatened by wildfires. The World’s Marco Werman caught up with the mayor of Yellowknife, Rebecca Alty, about what the fire situation is now and what the city looks like following the evacuation of it residents.
The mayor of Yellowknife says it's not safe for residents to go home, but notes city officials are working on a return plan as a fire continues to burn about 15 kilometres away.