Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation issues evacuation order for Old Crow

Wednesday, 9 August 2023 17:16

By Stuart Bonell

The scene in Old Crow on Thursday as evacuation efforts continued due to smoke conditions. VGG photo

Strong winds in the forecast could spread the Berry Hill fire towards the community. Air North will fly citizens to Inuvik, then Whitehorse.

The Berry Hill fire is only 12 kilometres north of Old Crow. According to Chief Frost, the biggest concern at the moment is that upcoming weather will spread the fire closer to the community.

"We are expecting 30 kilometre an hour winds out of the north," said Frost. "And it's a measure that we've determined is the necessary measure due to the imminent pressures of the fire. Because of our isolation, because of the time it takes to mobilize, it's best for us to get the community situated in a safe environment."

Chief Frost’s priority is to get citizens out of Old Crow as safely and smoothly as possible. She also urged her citizens to remain calm through this process.

"We don't need to run," said Frost. "We just need to walk slowly, because the fire's not coming at us. But there's a threat that the fire might pick up. So, we're just preparing to protect [the] community and to move towards that direction, of the evacuating community."

The Air North flights will take citizens from Old Crow to Inuvik, and then to Whitehorse once everyone is safely out of the community. The first of three flights to Inuvik Wednesday night arrived at 4:30, and a 737 flight will leave Inuvik at 2pm on Thursday. The Canada Games Centre, which was prepared for group lodging following the evacuation order in Mayo, has enough space to accommodate every evacuee from Old Crow, if necessary.

The audio clip below contains Chief Pauline Frost's full comments on the evacuation.

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