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PHOTOS: Soldiers and contractors bolster Yellowknife’s wildfire defences

Canadian Armed Forces solders arrived in Yellowknife this week and immediately started assisting city workers and contractors with the establishment of a fire break in the Grace Lake area, which went on evacuation alert as of Tuesday.
Kaicheng Xin
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Reinforcements from the Canadian Armed Forces arrived on a school bus after being flown into the city. Kaicheng Xin/NNSL photo

Canadian Armed Forces solders arrived in Yellowknife this week and immediately started assisting city workers and contractors with the establishment of a fire break in the Grace Lake area, which went on evacuation alert as of Tuesday.

Soldiers from the Royal 22nd Regiment arrive at a residential subdivision in Grace Lake to help build a firebreak. Kaicheng Xin/NNSL photo
Soldiers from the Royal 22nd Regiment arrive at a residential subdivision in Grace Lake to help build a firebreak. Kaicheng Xin/NNSL photo
Sgt. William Soucy Berube with Royal 22nd Regiment gives instructions on where troops need to be deployed. Kaicheng Xin/NNSL photo
Sgt. William Soucy Berube with Royal 22nd Regiment gives instructions on where troops need to be deployed. Kaicheng Xin/NNSL photo
Canadian Armed Forces members from as far as Quebec joined Yellowknifers in forming lines of defence against wildfires. Kaicheng Xin/NNSL photo
Canadian Armed Forces members from as far as Quebec joined Yellowknifers in forming lines of defence against wildfires. Kaicheng Xin/NNSL photo
Troops were equipped with chainsaws and shovels to clear away vegetation that could fuel a wildfire. Kaicheng Xin/NNSL photo
Troops were equipped with chainsaws and shovels to clear away vegetation that could fuel a wildfire. Kaicheng Xin/NNSL photo
Lisa Fromont, a landscaper with Arctic Farmer, was contracted to cut down trees in the Grace Lake area. Kaicheng Xin/NNSL photo
Lisa Fromont, a landscaper with Arctic Farmer, was contracted to cut down trees in the Grace Lake area. Kaicheng Xin/NNSL photo
Heavy equipment clears vegetation from the area. Kaicheng Xin/NNSL photo
Heavy equipment clears vegetation from the area. Kaicheng Xin/NNSL photo
Water is sprayed into the air to wet the surrounding ground in hopes of slowing any approaching fire. Kaihceng Xin/NNSL photo
Water is sprayed into the air to wet the surrounding ground in hopes of slowing any approaching fire. Kaihceng Xin/NNSL photo
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A.J. Gomolchuk lends a hand to his friend who lives in the Grace Lake area as preparations are made to flee if an evacuation alert turns into an evacuation order. Kaicheng Xin/NNSL photo

About the Author: Kaicheng Xin

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