Flames near what's left of the house owned by Natasha and John Cleary of Enterprise, N.W.T. Photo: Supplied
Sunday is just a blur to Natasha Cleary of Enterprise, N.W.T.
Her community was evacuated due to a fast-moving wildfire that consumed 90 per cent of the structures.
Cleary’s family had about an hour to pack up clothes and pets, and jump in their vehicle with a camper in tow and leave everything else behind.
They arrived safely in Grand Prairie, AB., about 800 km southeast, only to learn their home had been destroyed by the fire.
“All the kids’ baby stuff, anything memorable is gone,” Cleary said in a telephone interview.
“We can’t stay in a tent trailer over the winter. We are holding up, but I think we’re all still in shock.”
Officials say Enterprise, a hamlet of about 100 people in the South Slave region, has fewer than 10 homes and businesses remaining.
“The (six) kids have been crying off and on,” added Cleary. “Trying to comfort them has been the hardest of all.
“Biggest thing is we gotta be there for one another.”
Multiple wildfires have been burning throughout the northern territory threatening communities and the highways that connect them.
Evacuation orders are in place for Enterprise, Hay River, Kátł’odeeche First Nation, Fort Smith, Salt River First Nation and Jean Marie River. Kakisa remains under an evacuation alert.
The government has declared a territorial state of emergency to call for additional resources under the Emergency Management Act as fire nears the capital of Yellowknife.
An evacuation alert is in effect for three areas in the capital and residents are advised to ensure they are prepared should the situation change.
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh called on the federal government to provide more support for the N.W.T and welcomed the Canadian Forces stepping in to assist with the emergency.
“My thoughts are with the families of Hay River and everywhere in the Northwest Territories,” Singh said in a statement. “Climate disasters are happening all over the country and people are losing everything they value the most.”
Online fundraising pages have been set up to help the Clearys and the community of Enterprise accept donations to purchase food, transportation, shelter and other necessities.
Cleary said her family had not yet been informed of next steps by the government, but is imagining everyone will work together to clean up and rebuild their community.
She said she and her husband John don’t know who took the photos of their former home and surrounding area that were sent to them.
