A wildfire burning within 16 kms of the Northwest Territories capital prompted the evacuation order on Wednesday with residents being told to be out of the city by noon today.

Twenty two evacuation flights are scheduled for today while many, including those from two nearby First Nations, have already left - ten flights got out and convoys transported people out of town by bus yesterday, bound for evacuation centres in Alberta.

As many as 20-thousand Yellowknife residents are affected with officials worried the flames will reach the city this weekend.