Cable and cellphone service has been restored in much of Whitehorse, the Yukon capital, as well as northern British Columbia, Regional Communications Services Corporation Northwestel said in a statement Saturday evening. 9-1-1 service has been restored in Yellowknife, the capital of the Northwest Territories.
However, cellular communications have not yet been restored in affected areas of the Northwest Territories, including the Mackenzie Valley, Fort Simpson, Nahani Butte and Fort Liard, the press release specified. The grid has been restored in the Beaufort-Delta area.
Wildfires burning near Fort Liard, in the Northwest Territories, and Fort Nelson, in British Columbia, have been damaging communications connections in the Yukon since Friday evening, particularly hurting access to 911 service.
The collapse of telecommunications services in Yukon has led to the closure of some businesses.
Photo: Radio-Canada/Claudian Samson
On Saturday evening, it was the government of Nunavut's turn to inform Nunavummiut of a possible interruption of phone services and internet connections in the territory.
Fires in the Northwest Territories and British Columbia have destroyed communications infrastructure, causing Internet and phone issues [résidentiel] and cell phone coverage in the Yukon, northern British Columbia, Mackenzie Valley and Beaufort Delta areas of northwest Texas.
The company warned during the day on Saturday.
Northwestel's vice president of consumer experience, Tammy April, was interviewed on CBC during a communications outage in the Yukon due to wildfires.
Photo: Radio-Canada/Claudian Samson
Repairs to the fiber optic link were made difficult by the fire, said Tami April, Northwestel's vice president.
Unfortunately, we just had a setback in the last hour, the winds have changed and conditions are no longer safe for our technicians north of Fort Nelson. They were asked to leave and wait until conditions were safer before returning.
She said that the company's technicians had made great progress until then. Once conditions become more favorable, the vice president says it will only take an hour or two to restore service.
Many businesses, and even residents, are still able to continue their activities with the help of Starlink satellite service.
The Emergency Measures Organization provided an update on the telecommunications outage on Saturday morning.
Photo: Radio-Canada/Cheryl Quagga
The situation was particularly complex this time, as several fires damaged two fiber optic networks. Once both ways [de fibre optique] The connection has been cut off and we no longer have an internet connection.
Tammy April says.
RCMP say they are unable to know which of their detachments or other services are affected by the power outage at this time.
RCMP patrolled the streets of Whitehorse on Saturday to be able to intervene in the absence of 911 service.
Photo: Radio-Canada/Claudian Samson
Yukon residents who need to contact emergency services during a 911 outage can get assistance by going in person to various locations.
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In Whitehorse : Ambulances are stationed at the Canada Toy Centre, Riverdale Super A Supermarket, Kwanlin Shopping Centre, Whistle Bend Roundabout and the Police Detachment. RCMP Fourth Avenue and at the fire station.
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Outside of Whitehorse : It is possible to contact emergency services using the telephone located outside the community health center or at the local police station.
In Yellowknife, fire and ambulance services can be reached using the temporary cell phone number: 1-867-688-0462 or 1-867-686-3653.
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