People living in the capital of the Northwest Territories and two neighbouring First Nation communities have been ordered to evacuate the area by Friday due to an encroaching wildfire.

Wednesday’s evacuation order applies to both Yellowknife, which has a population of about 20,000 people, as well as the nearby communities of Ndilo and Dettah.

According to the territorial government, residents living along Ingraham Trail and in Dettah, Grace Lake, Kam Lake and the Engle Business District are at the highest risk and should leave as soon as possible.

Officials say other residents have until noon on Friday to leave.

The government is advising that it is safe for people to leave Yellowknife by road, while air evacuations for people at higher risk, such as those who are immunocompromised, are getting underway Thursday afternoon.

Via social media, Premier Caroline Cochrane had asked residents leaving by road to obey all warning signs, emergency management officials, traffic control devices and posted speed limits.

“We’re all in this together, but individually we choose how to react,” Cochrane wrote. “We will get through this. Now more than ever is the time to ask for help if you need it and to work together.

The City of Yellowknife stated that transit, trucked water and sewer services, and residential garbage collection have been suspended.