UPDATE (7 p.m.)
Officials with the Town of Hay River say one of two evacuation flights has departed from the region, with approximately 60 people on board. Officials say between 30 and 40 cars also departed the region between Friday. A second flight is currently enroute to the Hay River airport.
According to town officials, the fire is progressing toward the west of the town.
UPDATE: Due to extreme south winds, a blow up event has overwhelmed firefighting efforts in the north end of the Hay River wildfire.
Officials say a kilometres-wide flame front has began moving parallel to the highway into Hay River.
Wildfire crews and aircraft have been pulled back and repositioned in a safe area, non-essential personnel are being evacuated to safety, and the Town of Hay River is working with the Canadian Forces on this effort.
The Town of Hay River says the community has not been impacted yet. The front currently stands around 10km away from the town and under current conditions, may flank away from the population centre.
Sprinkler system activation plans are underway and crews say they will regroup and assess when it is safe.
According to officials, non-fire crews in Hay River will begin evacuating as of 3:15pm on August 25, 2023 due to increasing risk to the town.
Evacuation flights will be available for anyone evacuating to move crews to safer locations.
Further details to come.
