Global National: Aug. 16, 2023 | NWT declares states of emergency as fire crisis deepens

In tonight's top story: The Northwest Territories has declared a state of emergency as hundreds of wildfires have now decimated more 2.1 million hectares of land so far. Heather Yourex-West looks at the devastation and the fire fight in some of Canada's most remote communities.

Meanwhile, Yellowknife is on high alert over fears a nearby wildfire could creep closer to the city. Jayme Doll reports from the scene and speaks with anxious people about the looming threat.

In other wildfire headlines, the road to Lahaina, Hawaii has reopened. Neetu Garcha gets a first-hand look at the destruction and explains why the public still isn't allowed in some areas.

Furthermore, while Hawaiian authorities are beginning to investigate the exact cause of the fire that destroyed the tourist town of Lahaina, there's video evidence suggesting windy weather knocked down power lines, contributing to the disaster. Mike Drolet looks at what's known about the timeline of the catastrophe and the tough questions directed at Hawaiian Electric, the utility company.

Back in Canada, housing starts fell by 10 per cent in July, according to the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC). Mackenzie Gray explains what's behind the troubling trend during the housing crisis, what cities have been hardest hit and how this could affect real estate prices.

Plus, researchers in Singapore are investigating whether artificial intelligence can scan a person's brain to figure out what they're looking at. Redmond Shannon explains how it works, the ethical considerations and how it could one day be used to help non-verbal people communicate.

#GlobalNews #GlobalNational #Wildfires

[safetyall]

South African Fire Teams in MWT Canada, BRAVO and THANK YoU

[kathieoray]

My thoughts and sympathy are with my fellow Canadians in the N.W. T. Keeping you all close to my heart as this terrible disaster unfolds. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[tofu_golem]

The world is on fire, but at least oil companies had decades of elevated profits, and isn't that what's important?

[rosemit]

So sad, and developers already on the scene harassing the displaced residents. Vultures. That’s so messed up. I hope everything turns out positive for the residents who’ve been affected.💔

[therange]

God, this is awful. Canada is suffering. Just like so many other places. Thoughts and prayers to you all from the UK.

[mrmelmba]

_What they really need is rain and they are not getting it._ What they really need to do is to apply some common sense. While building fire codes are among the most stringent in the world heavy fines attend anyone removing the combustible coniferous forest surrounding them. It took millions of years, but man learned to preserve food for the winter when they really needed it, to dig wells to obtain water during the dry summer when they needed it and to wear warm clothing during the season when they needed to protect against the cold. Man must adapt to nature, not the other way around. Man is a fast learner. Within a few centuries man will likely come to the realization that he should surround a town with fields cleared of forest in order to shield it from fire. Man has even learned to plant crops for food instead of waiting for nature to do it for him.

[RSCL_BEATZ]

If our government MP's made the mean salary of $50K a year with no expenses paid, they might care about the lives of Canadians they seem to don't mind destroying. They make $140, 000 per year and qualify for retirement pay after 6 years of 75% of that.

[kevinrae]

Oh Jamie, it’s a fire not an audition

[TG-hfgx]

That timeline for the fire...😭 And that officer's attitude about "you can't have it both ways"...🤬
His words are going to haunt him for life💀

[katherinehunter]

My heart and prayers go out to all the people in NWT and Maui are facing these fires and the aftermath of what you have been left with to deal with!

Bless your Heart's and Soul's and those of the people fighting these fires.

May the Soul's of all the people who animals, domesticated and wild, who have been taken, be blessed for Eternity for their suffering!

🕊💞💫🍁🌺🙏🏻

[jeffrogers]

Why is the federal government not sending military to fight fire

[CannonFodder]

Justin has his notifications set to "OFF"🤣

[ViolaMapper]

I’m a Canadian In Ontario and quit sad to see my people in N.W.T suffer in the fire as an Ontarian are pro mice has been resisting the fires and I send brotherly prays to my people in N.W.T good luck my Canadian brothers from a different province

[SamAlbert-looe]

Alot of disasters are the beginning of what's to come.

[cordeliadaniels]

There is something unsettleing here about all these fires ! Not

[michellevautour]

Very sad. I couldn't imagine. I pray for everyone out there. Lord have Mercy.

[waynegabler]

Might I suggest that when you have one highway to get out of town, you should turn it into a one way road for 45 minutes out of every hour.

[jeffrogers]

No rain so why all the fires ? Human arsonist?!???

[melstiller]

This year's wild fire season has been the most destructive in recent memory. The earth is literally ablaze, and many people have already lost their lives, with so many more having lost everything they had. Please, let it rain, let it pour!

[Kevin_geekgineering]

due to the zoning laws, low density suburban single family house is the most constructions done in Canada.instead of building high density apartment in city core (stupid zoning law copied from americans), this is huge waste of money and you will end up with houses which are too expensive to afford. let alone thinking about the fire which will come soon to any spread out suburban sprawl