NWT Emergency Response Update – June 28, 2023 2:30pm

Communities remain lead on response activities. Territorial and Regional Emergency Management Organizations are fully activated and providing resources for planning, coordination, and support to community emergency management operations.

Returning home after a wildfire affected the area may be stressful and traumatic. This guide will help you know what to do and where to get help. Before returning home think about what you will see, hear and smell in your community upon return to emotionally prepare yourself and your family. Your community may have changed dramatically.

Keep yourself safe and healthy, with the checklists in the guide.

The Evacuee Registration Portal is for NWT residents who need to evacuate—or be prepared to evacuate—due to an emergency or disaster.

Having residents registered within the portal will allow for more efficient assistance during an evacuation. It will assist all levels of government in providing support to community governments with their response efforts in times of need.

The Evacuee Registration portal contains personal information that cannot be used without consent from the individual for whom the personal information belongs.

• Follow NWT Fire for updates on wildfire:

For the latest information on NWT Highways, please refer to the Highway Conditions Map.

Sambaa K’e Airport

Sambaa K’e Evacuation Reception Centre

• An Evacuation Reception Centre has been established in Fort Simpson for evacuees from Sambaa K’e. Two community spokespersons have been appointed to provide more information for evacuees.

Healthcare providers in Fort Simpson are available to assist with health needs of Sambaa K’e evacuees. This includes regular appointments prescription refills, etc.

• Call the Fort Simpson Health Centre at 867-695-7000 and identify yourself as an evacuee so we can direct your calls appropriately.

Mental Health Services for Evacuees

The following supports are also available:

• NWT Help Line: 1-800-661-0844
• Kids Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868 Or text CONNECT to 686868
• Wellness Together Canada: Adults: 1-866-585-0445, Youth: 1-888-668-6810
• Canada Suicide Prevention Service: 1-833-456-4566
• Hope For Wellness: 1-855-242-3310
• Family Violence Crisis line: 1-866-223-7775

The Evacuee Income Disruption Support program

• The Evacuee Income Disruption Support program assists individuals who have lost employment income due to extended evacuation periods.
• Provides financial support to adults 17+ whose employment has been disrupted by an evacuation lasting more than seven days.
• Eligible residents can receive a one-time payment of $750.
• For more information on how to apply:

The Community Government Hosting Evacuees Grant

• The Community Government Hosting Evacuees Grant provides financial assistance to eligible community governments that host evacuees outside of a designated Evacuation Centre.
• To be eligible for the grant, community governments must host 10 or more registered evacuees.
• Funding starts at $20,000 and is capped at $40,000, and is based on total evacuees hosted.
• Funding can be requested after an evacuation order has been in place for seven or more days.

Business Relief

For information on fire bans, check the NWT Parks website and in-person at NWT Parks.  

Dehcho Parks

• Powered camping sites have been reserved at the Fort Simpson Territorial Park for Sambaa K’e wildfire evacuees.Evacuees should contact park contractor, Stanley Paul (on site) for further direction.
• For more information about Dehcho Parks, contact Stephanie Hardisty at [email protected] or (867) 695-7515     

Sambaa K’e

• Nahendeh District Office (for Sambaa K’e evacuees): 867-695-7700 
• Fort Simpson Housing Authority (for Sambaa K’e evacuees): 867-695-2725
• Housing NWT Toll-Free Number: 1-844-NWT-HOME (1-844-698-4663)
• Housing NWT staff continue to assess public housing units in Sambaa K’e and there are no issues at this time. Housing NWT will be in contact with Sambaa K’e housing clients.

Emergency Management Organization (EMO) Activation:

• The Territorial, South Slave, and Dehcho Emergency Management Organizations (EMO) remain activated and are in regular communication with affected communities.

• Continued monitoring of wildfire to assure safety of evacuees.
• Continued support to affected communities and stakeholders.

For the latest, most accurate emergency information, continue checking for updates with your local community government and visit www.gov.nt.ca/public-safety.

Monetary donations are being accepted by United Way NWT.

NWT Alert

Follow the latest emergency alerts here: https://nwtalert.ca/#/

NWT Wildfire