Caroline Wawzonek

Members of the Northwest Territories legislature unanimously voted on Monday to delay an election scheduled for October because of wildfires as the region saw a significant victory in the battle against a blaze that caused tens of thousands of people to flee Yellowknife.

Wildfires continue to disrupt communication services in the Northwest Territories as crews braced for tough days fighting the blaze threatening the capital city of Yellowknife.

Wildfires threatening communities in the Northwest Territories were kept at bay on Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2023, as politicians continued grappling with “astronomical” costs of fighting the blazes and how to eventually get people home.

The federal government is sending more help to the Northwest Territories to deal with a spike in COVID-19 cases.