YELLOWKNIFE — Fire activity along a key Northwest Territories highway is expected to kick up in the coming days, while Mounties say they’ll stop a potentially large group from trying to re-enter when an evacuation order is still in effect. The territorial government says Highway 1, which links up with Alberta, is open to essential travel but could close without warning due to poor visibility. It’s expected the highway will close to all traffic between Friday and Sunday due to high winds, meaning there has been a pause on bringing back essential workers not in health care. “Residents likely heard the re-entry for Yellowknife essential staff was paused due to looming highway closures north of the Alberta border. While we are one step closer to going back home, we still have to wait a little bit longer,” said Environment and Climate Change Minister Shane Thompson at a Thursday briefing.

Additional coverage in by the Canadian Press: Northwest Territories extend State of Emergency another 2 weeks

CTV News by Natasha O’Neill: ‘Severe wind event’ expected in Hay River has crews bracing for the worst