Officials in Whatı̀ have ordered residents to evacuate the community due to a wildfire burning nearby.

The order was issued Friday morning. The fire was about seven kilometres south of Whatì's airport as of Thursday afternoon.

Whatì's council has declared a state of local emergency, according to an evacuation order shared with CBC.

"Whatı̀ residents are required to evacuate the area immediately due to a wildfire in the area," senior administrative officer Sherbaz Muhammad wrote in the order.

"Evacuees must register at the Whatı̀ Cultural Centre. Reception centres are being set up in Behchokǫ̀ and Yellowknife. Evacuees will receive more information when you register."

The community of about 600 people is on the southeast side of Lac La Martre, a 167-kilometre drive from Behchokǫ̀. It h

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