As wildfires continue to rage in the Northwest Territories of Canada, residents of Yellowknife are scrambling to evacuate the city before the flames block their exit. Thousands of residents have joined road convoys and stood in long lines at the airport to flee the looming danger.
.gif)
In response to the crisis, Air Canada has announced that it is capping fares and adding extra flights from Yellowknife to help evacuate residents. This comes after social media users complained of soaring prices by multiple carriers. Air Canada has stated that it has imposed a price cap on its flights from Yellowknife and has added two extra flights on August 17, 2023, as well as an extra Boeing 737 flight on August 18, 2023.
Meanwhile, WestJet is also facing criticism for not doing enough to accommodate passengers hoping to flee the region or change their flights. Both airlines have introduced a price cap on their flights from/to Yellowknife and have placed flexible change and cancelation guidelines for all passengers traveling to Yellowknife.
The situation in Yellowknife is dire, with communication issues and a Facebook news ban hampering evacuation efforts. Officials have issued evacuation orders and declared a state of emergency as the blazes threaten the capital city of Yellowknife. The state of emergency allows for more resources to aid the more than 230 active fires charring areas across the Northwest Territories. As the situation continues to develop, it is important for residents to stay informed and follow evacuation orders. Our thoughts are with those affected by this crisis. Stay safe.