Prime Minister Justin Trudeau visits the devastated Northwest Territories

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is scheduled to visit the devastated areas during the unprecedented wildfire season in the Northwest regions. Trudeau is set to meet with local leaders and inspect the locations affected by the recent wildfires. The fast-spreading forest fires in August ravaged the community of Enterprise, situated approximately 40 kilometers south of the Hay River, and almost all the homes and community structures were destroyed.
Charred trees, burnt homes, and melted vehicles remain throughout the roughly 100-person community along a northern Alberta highway. About 20 people have returned, but many of them have stayed in other areas of Canada after losing their homes.
This region saw almost 70% of its population displaced during the wildfire season, including a three-week evacuation order that forced approximately 20,000 people to flee Yellowknife. Since igniting in the spring, the forest fires have scorched an unprecedented area across the territory. As of Wednesday, ninety-five were still burning.
People in the Hay River and the Katlodeeche First Nation were forced to evacuate multiple times due to the fires in May and again in August. Homes and the music group's office in Katlodeeche suffered damage. Authorities stated that the subsequent fire, fueled by strong winds, tore through Enterprise and demolished 80% of the community's structures.
Many of those visiting their burned homes say that hotel rooms are not a long-term solution. A local hotel also suffered damage from the wildfires, so most of them are residing by the Hay River, where accommodations are limited.
Blair Porter, a senior administrative officer in Enterprise, said they want to ensure that people can return to Enterprise. They are working to find solutions for those who have lost their homes. Porter said, "One of the things we don't want to happen is for people to get frustrated and throw their hands up and say they won't come back. But, he said, they need the cooperation of other levels of government to make that happen."

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