• Fort Smith residents evacuated to Hay River on Saturday, August 12, 2023, because the Wood Buffalo Complex Wildfire was expected to cut off Highway 5 and threaten the community due to forecasted high winds. Highway 5 was monitored, and pilot vehicles escorted residents to ensure public safety.
• An evacuation order was issued for Hay River, K’atl’odeeche and Enterprise at 3 p.m. on Sunday, August 13, 2023, because the Kakisa wildfire was moving quickly due to high winds.
• People fleeing along Highway 2 drove through thick smoke, flying embers, and falling ash and debris as a fire tore down the highway a few hours later and flames raged on both sides. Authorities appeared to be unaware the highway was on fire until a Hay River resident phoned 911. A dozen burned-out vehicles littered the highway. The wildfire also destroyed 90% of Enterprise. Miraculously, there was no loss of human life.
• This wildfire event raises troubling public safety issues; involves multiple departments of the Government of the Northwest Territories, and municipal governments; affects more than 5,000 residents of Fort Smith, Hay River, K’atl’odeeche and Enterprise; and caused significant damage to homes, businesses, property and the loss of life of animals.

We, the undersigned, urge the Premier of the Northwest Territories/Minister of Justice to order a public inquiry to investigate the role and actions of both territorial and municipal governments in this wildfire and evacuation including:

• How the Kakisa fire was monitored and managed leading up the events of August 13, 2023.
• Why authorities evacuated residents from Fort Smith, Hay River and K’atl'odeeche along an unmonitored highway.
• Why Hay River, K'atl'odeeche and Enterprise were not placed on evacuation notice prior to Sunday, August 13, 2023, given that high winds were anticipated that day.
• How and when information about the Kakisa fire was communicated to municipal officials and the public.
• The extent to which territorial and municipal governments are prepared to manage wildfires and evacuations.

The lessons learned from an independent public inquiry will help improve emergency preparedness across the territory.