Behchok, N.W.T., ordered to evacuate due to wildfire burning nearby

Residents of Behchok, N.W.T., are being asked to evacuate the community as a wildfire burns nearby.

The evacuation order was issued late Monday afternoon, a few hours after the community was put under an evacuation alert.

The community of about 2,000 northwest of Yellowknife has been keeping tabs on the wildfire that's now burning about 25kilometres to the east. Monday's notices came asheavy smoke blankets the community.

The blaze is about 45 kilometres northwest of Yellowknife.

Behchok residents are being advised to go to Yellowknife. A muster station is set up at the Khon Go Cho Centre inBehchok, and evacuees are asked to register with the Yellowknife Health and Social Services Authority at the Multiplex in Yellowknife when they arrive.

A statement from the city on Monday evening said the Mulitplex would be closed to the public until further notice, in order to provide shelter to the evacuees.

"The City is once again ready, willing and able to help our neighbours in their time of need,"said Mayor Rebecca Alty in a written statement.

Behchok is now the fourth N.W.T. community to evacuate due to wildfire this season.

The wildfire, which also threatened Highway 3 over the weekend, was last mapped at nearly 63,441hectares. Fire crews have been working to halt its growth towardBehchok and the highway. At last report it was less than two kilometers north of the highway.