People wait in line overnight for evacuation flights out of Yellowknife

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Residents waited in line outside a Yellowknife high school for evacuation flights on Thursday night even though officials urged them to leave and return first thing in the morning.

As a result, the premier's office was asking people to drop off propane heaters and blankets at Sir John Franklin High School to help keep them warm. Temperatures were expected to hit a low of 8 C overnight.

Earlier in the day, the territorial government said evacuation flights scheduled to leave Yellowknife Thursday were nearing capacity.

In an email at 2:40 p.m., Amy Kennedy, a director of communications with the government of the Northwest Territories, said the next 200 to 400 people waiting in line at Sir John Franklin High School would be able to get on the remaining planes Thursday.

"This number will vary depending on the addition of two flights later this evening. Staff on site will advise those in line if they should stay or leave," she wrote. 

The first evacuation flight is scheduled to leave on Friday is at 8 a.m., and passengers will be bused to the airport at 7 a.m. 

"An extensive flight schedule" for Friday and Saturday is being developed, said Kennedy. On Wednesday night, the territory told people to evacuate by noon on Friday.

"We understand that this is deeply frustrating for those who have been in line for several hours and who will need to line up again tomorrow. Many individuals with mobility issues and who are immunocompromised or have a condition that puts them at higher risk of severe outcomes due to smoke were moved up in line, and we would like to thank everyone for their cooperation in making this happen."

A massive line of people at Sir John Franklin High School in Yellowknife, who were waiting to register for an evacuation flight out of the wildfire-threatened city, had been moving slowly Thursday. The territory said the weather has complicated the evacuation flight schedule.

People who can't drive out of the city were told to head to the school at 10 a.m., but as of 9:25 a.m, hundreds of people were already lined up along 49th Street. 

Police and military personnel have been moving up and down the line, handing out snacks and water to those waiting in the light rain. Chairs have also been distributed to those who need them. 

The territorial government said air evacuations were scheduled for 1 p.m., 2 p.m., 7 p.m., 8 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. Pets will be allowed on commercial carriers, but must be crated. On military aircraft, pets should be crated if possible. 

People are being asked to bring no more than a five days worth of clothing, as well as essential items like medication, chargers, and important documents. 

"I've been standing in line for three hours, since nine o'clock this morning," Edgar Jerome said around 11 a.m. "They haven't said much." 

Kirsten Murphy, a Yellowknife resident with a seat on an Air Canada flight to Vancouver at 5 p.m., told CBC News Thursday that although people are concerned about the fire itself — the biggest stress right now is figuring out how to leave. 

"Not everyone has vehicles, how are they supposed to get to the high school?" she said. "Nobody can believe this is happening."

Gonzalo Espinosa, a Master-Corporal with the Canadian Armed Forces, is helping run a rest station at the Yellowknife multiplex. He described it as a "transition area" — a place where people without accommodations can spend the night if they need to and can get help registering as an evacuee. 

Espinosa wasn't sure how long the station would be running, but said the military would "definitely" be there Thursday and Friday.

Airlines adjusting 

Air Canada says it's added two extra flights out of Yellowknife on Thursday — doubling the number of flights it would have under normal conditions. All the flights scheduled out of the city today are full, the company said.

"We are working with authorities to determine how long we can continue to operate given the limitations being imposed on flying due to the fires," a spokesperson for the company said in an email. 

They also addressed concerns about high prices for those last-minute seats. 

"We have put in place a cap on our fares for non-stop flights out of Yellowknife, and if you go to the Air Canada website, you will see the fares are not elevated. Although flights are nearly full, at the time I am sending this there is a Yellowknife-Edmonton flight for $272 for example for tomorrow."

WestJet, meanwhile, said it's added an extra recovery flight scheduled on Thursday from Yellowknife to Calgary, and is using bigger aircraft to run previously scheduled flights. 

The airline also said it has adjusted fare classes to avoid price escalation and has announced flexible guidelines for changes and cancellations for all guests travelling to Yellowknife Thursday until Tuesday. 

The airline also said it's allowing more pets on board its flights.

The Canadian Armed Forces said it's providing aircraft to help with logistical tasks and emergency evacuations, including a J Hercules, a Twin Otter, and 3 Griffon Helicopters — all aircraft are based in Yellowknife, except for one helicopter that's based in Edmonton and can move on 12 hours' notice.

Pivoting plans

Murphy said she heard rumblings about an evacuation order throughout the city on Wednesday, before it was officially announced during a press conference at 7:30 p.m. She had a plan to head with her husband and dog to the North Arm of Great Slave Lake, but pivoted because of poor air quality. 

"The reaction was sort of like, wow our plan isn't going to work, going out the cabin, we have to rethink this," she said. While she expects to be on a plane this evening, Murphy's husband (a CBC North manager) will stay in town and will boat out onto Great Slave Lake with a friend if the situation gets worse. 

In a single bag, Murphy said she's packed her passport, hard drive, and camera equipment. 

"Everything else is replaceable," she said. 

Murphy and her husband also plan to leave Rubbermaid bins with dog kibble and water outside their home for animals who may be left behind. 

"The one thing we're going to do before we leave is put out water and dog food … for animals who may have gotten left behind," she said. "That's what breaks my heart at this time. Just the animals and seniors and elders who can't make sense of this."

The territorial government has provided the following information for residents:

• Registration form for N.W.T. residents who need to evacuate.
• Territorial wildfire updates. Report smoke or fire by calling 1-877-698-3473.
• Emergency response resources.
• The latest community statuses, including notices, alerts and orders.
• Additional information for evacuees.