Residents Flee, Airlifts Begin as Wildfire Approaches Capital of Canada's Northwest Territories.

The article focuses on the evacuation efforts in Yellowknife, the capital of Canada's Northwest Territories, due to an approaching wildfire amid the country's worst fire season on record. With the fire within 16 kilometers of the city, residents in high-risk areas were ordered to leave immediately, while others were advised to evacuate by noon the following day to avoid being trapped by shifting winds. The Northwest Territories Health and Social Services Authority announced reductions in hospital services, including the closure of the intensive care unit at Yellowknife's Stanton Territorial Hospital, as evacuations continue. Canada has experienced over 5,700 wildfires this year, burning more than 137,000 square kilometers, with 1,053 active fires nationwide, over half uncontrolled. Evacuees unable to leave by road are being assisted with air evacuations and support centers in Alberta, more than 1,000 kilometers away.