911 services in N.W.T., Yukon knocked out by wildfires

Officials say wildfires are affecting phone lines across the north - and that includes 911 emergency lines in the Northwest Ter‐ ritories and Yukon.

The service provider Northwestel says a fire near Fort Liard, N.W.T., has caused service interruptions throughout the Northwest Territories and Yukon. Yukon officials say the fire near Fort Nelson, B.C., is also playing a role.

"We'd like to advise our customers that active fires in the N.W.T. and B.C. have damaged telecommunica‐ tions infrastructure, causing a disruption to internet, phone and mobility services in Yukon, northern B.C., [and the] Mackenzie Valley and Beaufort Delta regions of the N.W.T.," the company said on its Facebook page.

"We are closely monitor‐ ing the situation and working to restore connectivity as soon as possible."

RCMP say because it's a developing situation they are unable to say which detach‐ ment numbers or other phone services are affected.

"Currently, 911 and the emergency RCMP lines are inoperable," RCMP said in a release. "If you need the police and are unable to get a hold of your local detach‐ ment, please attend in per‐ son."

Yellowknife officials say residents there can call tem‐ porary cell numbers in case of an emergency for both fire and ambulance services: 867688-0462 and 867-686-3653.

Whitehorse, meanwhile, has set up ambulance sta‐ tions:

Canada Games Centre Riverdale Super A Qwanlin Mall North of 60 at Wann Road Whistle Bend round‐ about

Officials there say locals can also get help at any RCMP detachment, at both Whitehorse fire halls or "by flagging down an emergency vehicle."

Fire officials say a "major wind event" led to the forma‐ tion of four new fires on Friday afternoon southwest of Fort Liard.