(Fort Smith, August 14, 2023) – Effective immediately the Fort Smith Health Centre will begin ramp down of services towards closure as community evacuation by air continues. This closure will be in place until further notice.

Planning is currently underway to establish a mobile paramedic service to address basic health needs in the community and for first responders until services can be re-established at the health centre. Emergency services personnel in community will be able to reach the paramedic by radio while communication infrastructure outages continue.

(Fort Smith, August 13, 2023) – With a change in approach for Fort Smith from an evacuation order to shelter  in place for remaining residents, the Fort Smith Health Centre will remain open for limited emergency services.

This will include limited onsite emergency nursing and physician services. Some regular diagnostic services – like lab and diagnostic imaging – may not be available and air ambulance transport in and out of the community may be impacted by smoke and fire.

(Yellowknife, August 13, 2023) – The Northwest Territories Health and Social Services Authority is advising residents in Yellowknife that service levels may be reduced to support evacuation response efforts related to the Hay River and Fort Smith evacuation orders. Adjustments to services may be made to ensure resources can be redirected in support of displaced individuals.

Any impacted individuals will be notified directly with further details should service changes impact booked appointments, and plans to defer any impacted appointments will be put in place.

(Fort Smith, 6 pm, August 12, 2023) – Effective August 13, 2023, at 3:00 pm the Fort Smith Health Centre will close for services in response to the evacuation order issued by the Town of Fort Smith.  

Evacuation of the community is the safest option, and all residents are encouraged to follow the evacuation order and make their way to Hay River. All evacuees should register at their receiving site or by using the GNWT’s online evacuee registration from.

(Fort Smith – August 11, 2023) The Northwest Territories Health and Social Services Authority (NTHSSA) is providing notice to the public about actions being taken in response to evacuation alert issued for Fort Smith on August 11, 2023.

Starting immediately and progressing over the next 24 hours:

(Fort Smith – August 6, 2023) The Northwest Territories Health and Social Services Authority is providing an update in follow up to a previous public notice issued regarding precautionary measures taken in Fort Smith related to local wildfire activity. At this time a phased reopening of services is underway, including:

(Yellowknife – August 4th, 2023) - On August 4th, 2023 at 5PM the Evacuation Reception Centre at the Yellowknife Multiplex will close as evacuees from Behchoko return to the community. This will also include stand-down of additional health services provided at the evacuation centre and Yellowknife Primary care clinics for Behchoko residents. 

(Yellowknife July 31, 2023) Starting immediately, mandatory continuous masking in NWT health and social services facilities will no longer be required.

This change is being made as a result of an updated review of COVID-19 control measures in the health and social services system, and was informed by current practices across Canada.

(Fort Smith – July 29, 2023) The Northwest Territories Health and Social Services Authority (NTHSSA) is providing notice to the public about impending actions being taken out of an abundance of caution related to ongoing wildfire activity in the Fort Smith area.