People in path of wildfires in Canada’s Northwest Territories to be evacuated

Residents of the Northwest Territories were told to evacuate by road or by air (Jason Franson /The Canadian Press via AP)

Air evacuations were to begin on Thursday to move residents in the capital of Canada’s Northwest Territories out of the path of wildfires that neared the city of 20,000 people.

The Northwest Territories government said that people in the four areas of Yellowknife at highest risk should leave as soon as possible and residents in other areas have until noon on Friday to leave.