Ottawa, August 18 (RHC)-- Authorities in Canada have ordered all residents of the city of Yellowknife to evacuate as a massive wildfire approaches.  Military aircraft will help evacuate some residents who cannot drive out of the city, which is the capital of Canada’s Northwest Territories. 

The city is home to about 20,000 people. Yellowknife Mayor Rebecca Alty spoke on Wednesday: "There is a possibility that without rain, the fire reaches the outskirts of Yellowknife by the weekend.  It is approaching, but there’s time to complete the community evacuation.  It’s being called now so that we can allow people the opportunity to drive while the highway is open.  The highway is subject to closures at any time, but it’s likely that it will be open until tomorrow morning.  Conditions will be smokey, and residents should drive with caution and care.”

A number of other communities in Canada’s Northwest Territories have already been evacuated due to the fires. So far this year, fires have burned more than 33 million acres in Canada — more than double any previous season. That’s an area equivalent to the size of Alabama or nine Connecticuts.