PRAY FOR THE NORTH

Yellowknife, Hay River, Fort Smith remain under threat from several out-of-control wildfires

Communities in North and South Slave regions are virtual ghost towns; a handful of businesses open in Yellowknife for first responders and those sheltering in place

NWT fire map, on Cabin Radio’s homepage, shows the burn areas and hot-spots as of Friday afternoon. The map was created drawing together a number of sources by an NWT resident, Anthony Castillo, who shared it with Cabin Radio. For GNWT information, click here.

The Co-op store on Old Airport Road saw huge lines when it was discovered to be the sole grocery outlet open Thursday morning after the Evacuation Order was issued Wednesday evening. Photo by James O'Connor

In the strip of photos at left below, the devastation suffered by the hamlet of Enterprise is seen in photos submitted to Cabin Radio by Zachary Pangborn.

Today was supposed to be the post-pandemic return of the NWT Chamber’s annual golf tournament.

It was cancelled on Monday by the NWT Chamber’s Board of Directors as the wildfire situation grew more intense.

The situation is worrisome and unimaginable as fires approach communities on both sides of Great Slave Lake.

The GNWT lists the few services available in Yellowknife:

Pharmacies

• Sutherland's Drugs Ltd (MONDAY to FRIDAY - 8AM to 6PM)

Gas Stations

• Co-op Gas Bar (EVERY DAY - 10AM - 4PM)

*Other gas stations are closed due to lack of staff and/or gas shortages*

Grocery Stores

• Yellowknife Co-op (EVERY DAY - 8AM - 12PM)
• Weaver + Devore (MONDAY to SATURDAY - 9AM to 6PM)

Please note that monetary donations are being accepted by United Way NWT. 

For donations to support pets of evacuees: 

• Veterinarians without Borders: Donations to Veterinarians Without Borders’ emergency response effort can be made via the Northern Animal Health Initiative website. 
• NWT SPCA Donations page or visit NWT SPCA on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/nwtspca 

In the coming days and weeks, depending on severity of events, information will be sought through private business interruption insurance and government programs such as GNWT’s SEED Business Relief program, where qualifying businesses affected by fire can access emergency relief or support business recovery. 

The GNWT’s MACA department has a Handbook for Small Businesses and Non-profit Organizations.

The GNWT provides disaster assistance to small businesses for damages or losses due to a disaster event that were neither preventable nor insurable.

The Exclusion Table shows examples of items that are not eligible for assistance, including:

Loss of income; wages; profits and/or revenue; loss of production or productivity; loss of opportunity, inconvenience; and loss of asset or market value or market share.

Meanwhile, The likelihood the first U.S. Commercial Service in Canada’s American business mission to Yellowknife will go ahead at the end of the month is unclear at present.

The CanArctic Business Mission, with U.S. Ambassador to Canada David L. Cohen, was to take place Aug. 30 and 31, with the NWT Chamber providing local support.

Look for updates on the NWT Chamber's homepage.

Plans for the NWT Chamber of Commerce’s 50th Anniversary and Conference at the end of September are still on schedule.

Good luck. Stay safe. Remain strong.

The next NWT Chamber Board meeting is tentatively August 23 at 11am in-person or Zoom

You can now find the archive of the NWT Chamber's newsletters here

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