Wildfires causing widespread telecom outages in N.W.T., Yukon

Wildfires around Fort Nelson B.C. and Fort Liard N.W.T.  have caused widespread telecommunications outages in Yukon and parts of N.W.T.  — including 911 emergency services outages.

Northern telecommunications provider Northwestel first announced outages on Friday night. 

As of Saturday morning, the telecom provider confirmed that cell service, long-distance landline calls, and internet were still down in Yukon, Northern B.C., and the Beaufort Delta and Mackenzie Delta regions of N.W.T.

Long distance calling in Nunavut is also down.

“We are working closely with our partners to gain safe access to the damaged infrastructure to assess the situation. Once we’re able to gain safe access, we can begin repairs. We do not have ETA for repair at this time, customers should plan to be without service for several more hours.” Northwestel wrote on its Facebook page.

As of Saturday morning, Yukon’s emergency management organization told CBC that all cell phone and internet service was down across the territory.

In N.W.T., residents of many communities including Fort Liard and Jean Marie River were reporting that Internet, cell phone, and landline services were down. 

In Hay River, N.W.T. officials say that Northwestel internet is also down. Northwestel landlines are down for calls outside of the community. Cell service is unaffected.

911 emergency services are also down in both N.W.T. and Yukon.

During the outage, N.W.T. residents can reach RCMP at 867-765-8337. Residents who can’t reach emergency services by phone should go to their local RCMP detachment or health centre.

Yellowknife officials say residents there can call temporary cell numbers in case of an emergency for both fire and ambulance services: 867-688-0462 and 867-686-3653.

In Hay River, residents can access fire and ambulance services at this number for now: 867-874-9333. 

Inuvik residents should contact the local fire department at 867-678-5379 in case of emergencies. The fire department will then refer calls through to RCMP or ambulance services if needed. Residents can also get help at the local RCMP detachment.

Whitehorse, meanwhile, has set up ambulance stations:

• Canada Games Centre
• Riverdale Super A
• Qwanlin Mall
• North of 60 at Wann Road
• Whistle Bend roundabout

Officials there say locals can also get help at any RCMP detachment, at both Whitehorse fire halls or “by flagging down an emergency vehicle.”