Data released by the government of the Northwest Territories reveals a notable increase in evacuation orders over the past six years, matching the total number issued in the preceding three decades. The CBC News sought information from the N.W.T. Department of Municipal and Community Affairs (MACA) on evacuation instances since the 1990s. The data indicated that there were around 32 evacuation orders between 1990 and 2019, a figure mirrored between 2020 and 2026. These evacuations were mainly triggered by wildfires, floods, and occasional emergencies like the 2019 high-rise apartment fire in Hay River.
The evacuation orders were not exclusively for specific communities, as some encompassed homes along highway stretches. Additionally, partial evacuations were noted, where neighborhoods had to relocate within the same town. Mike Flannigan, a wildfire expert at Thompson Rivers University in Kamloops, British Columbia, expressed surprise at the surge in evacuations and questioned whether historical wildfire evacuations had been accurately documented in the data.
Despite requesting specific data on wildfire evacuations from the federal government, CBC News found that the information only dates back to 1980 and lacks a decade-by-decade breakdown. Nevertheless, Flannigan emphasized the clear upward trend in evacuations depicted by the N.W.T. government’s data.
The spike in evacuations is primarily attributed to wildfires, with Flannigan citing several factors contributing to the rise in such incidents. He highlighted the escalating frequency of fires due to human-induced climate change, resulting in longer warm seasons that increase the likelihood of lightning strikes, a common fire ignition source in the region.
Flannigan noted the changing behavior of fires in recent times, citing instances of rapid fire spread. This shift in fire behavior necessitates earlier evacuation calls as a precautionary measure. The data revealed that certain communities, notably Hay River and Kátł’odeeche First Nation, have undergone multiple evacuations since 1990.
The escalating number of evacuations has necessitated adaptations in emergency management strategies. CBC News attempted to secure an interview with MACA for further insights on the data but did not receive a response before the deadline. Kevin Brezinski, former N.W.T. director of public safety and now the director of emergency measures, highlighted the heightened intensity and frequency of fires in recent years, resulting in a more substantial impact than in previous decades.
The territory’s 2025 after-action review disclosed a staggering $363.8 million in recovery costs attributed to floods and fires since 2021. Brezinski reflected on the evolution of emergency management responsibilities, noting a shift towards prioritizing emergency measures in response to the surge in evacuations.
Furthermore, historical accounts of significant evacuation events, such as the 1995 Tulita fire, underscore the enduring impact of wildfires on communities in the Northwest Territories. The commemoration of past evacuation events serves as a reminder of the ongoing challenges faced by residents during fire emergencies.