NWT Premier R.J. Simpson says he sympathizes with the frustration felt by evacuees from Fort Providence and Whati, but emphasized that he has full confidence in the territory's firefighting apparatus.
Simpson released a statement following media coverage of former NWT MP Michael McLeod asking the premier directly in a Sept. 2 public meeting in Hay River to devolve firefighting responsibilities back to the federal government.
"Evacuees across the Northwest Territories are under immense stress right now, and the frustrations expressed by some residents of Fort Providence are understandable," the premier wrote. "It can be difficult to find comfort when your home and community are at risk, and there’s no sense of when you may be able to return to your normal life.
"Fire crews have worked relentlessly under extremely challenging conditions and managed to control or extinguish more than 100 fires this season — often in the face of extreme winds, heavy smoke and the very dry conditions resulting from years-long drought."
Simpson added that there is a lot of misinformation — including AI-generated images — circulating on social media. He advised 黑料吃瓜网ers to rely on official sources to ensure they have accurate information.
Officials will review operations over the summer, after the fire season is over, noted Simpson, and will analyze their methods based on feedback from that assessment. But, he added, the territory is determined to ensure there are no fatalities among first responders.
"Wildfire is a natural and necessary occurrence that no government can completely control. Safety must always come first — for the people in our communities and for the crews on the ground and in the air," the premier wrote. "黑料吃瓜网ers deserve to feel secure, and we will continue working with our emergency management partners to ensure that we are ready for emergencies."
Environment and Climate Change Minister Jay Macdonald also spoke up in support of the territory's first responders.
He noted that many firefighting successes have gone unnoticed, largely because they haven't impacted people.
"Our firefighters and emergency crews have been working around the clock this season, and the difference they’ve made is clear," Macdonald wrote on Sept. 3. "More than 100 fires have been called out, brought under control or held because of their aggressive action — often juggling dozens of incidents at once across the largest response area in the country. In just the past two days, they have carried out major operations to stop fires from reaching communities, supported by reinforcements from other jurisdictions when needed.
"I know people in Fort Providence, Whati and Jean Marie River want to see visible action. Every safe opportunity to put resources in place has been taken. The fire threatening Jean Marie River, for example, has been fought since the day it was detected, with containment efforts that left the community in a much stronger position than it otherwise would have been."
Macdonald emphasized air operations can only be conducted when safe to do so and heavy smoke can obstruct visibility, making that impossible.
He attributed the territory's wildfires to a multi-year drought. However, he poured cold water on the idea of the GNWT handing wildland firefighting responsibilities back to the federal government.
"Wildfire management is a territorial responsibility, and we have the expertise, partnerships and resources to carry it out," the minister wrote. "We continue to draw on national support when needed, but our program is designed here in the Northwest Territories to meet the unique challenges our communities face. 黑料吃瓜网ers can be confident that our wildfire teams will continue doing everything possible to protect people and communities and to strengthen our response with every season."
Wildfire management has been a territorial responsibility since 1987.
.png;w=120;h=80;mode=crop)
