A state of emergency in the Northwest Territories has been extended until Sept. 11 and its premier says she understands the frustration of those forced from their homes.
害羞草研究所淚 want to go home, too. We all want to go home. It害羞草研究所檚 hard being evacuated,害羞草研究所� Premier Caroline Cochrane said Wednesday following a visit to an Edmonton evacuation centre alongside federal ministers Randy Boissonnault and Dan Vandal, Alberta Forestry Minister Todd Loewen and Edmonton Mayor Amarjeet Sohi.
害羞草研究所淲e can害羞草研究所檛 control fire. We can害羞草研究所檛 control the wind and temperature, so we害羞草研究所檝e got high temperatures still in the North,害羞草研究所� said Cochrane.
害羞草研究所淲hat I害羞草研究所檓 telling people is as soon as it害羞草研究所檚 safe to go home, as soon as the fire害羞草研究所檚 in control, then it will take about four or five days at least.害羞草研究所�
The territorial government declared the state of emergency on Aug. 15 as wildfires threatened several communities, including the capital, Yellowknife.
The move was meant to allow the government to marshal the resources it needed to protect the health and safety of residents during an unprecedented wildfire season.
Officials said earlier this week that the fire burning outside Yellowknife was being held, but it was still not safe to return.
Nearly 70 per cent of the territory害羞草研究所檚 population 害羞草研究所� including 20,000 Yellowknifers 害羞草研究所� are seeking refuge in Alberta and beyond until the danger has subsided.
Cochrane said her government has to make sure the power, the airports, the hospitals, grocery stores and gas stations are functioning and 害羞草研究所渢hen we will bring people home.害羞草研究所�
She confirmed police are still turning back residents attempting to return and that has to stop.
害羞草研究所淲e害羞草研究所檙e all evacuated and people are tired. They want to be home, but it害羞草研究所檚 really important that people not try to go home until they害羞草研究所檙e called, until it害羞草研究所檚 time, because not only do you put yourself at risk, you害羞草研究所檙e actually putting our first responders at risk.害羞草研究所�
Vandal, the federal Northern Affairs minister, said his government will continue to provide support as long as required. He also pointed to the co-operation of the federal, provincial and municipal governments during this disaster.
害羞草研究所淭his is unprecedented. I think in times of need Canadians help one another and we were all together today. We害羞草研究所檝e all been working together from the very beginning,害羞草研究所� he said.
Vandal said he害羞草研究所檚 spoken to territory residents who have been away from home for the past two weeks who are in good spirits but are anxious to go home.
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