Northern News Services
Friday, July 13, 2007

YELLOWKNIFE - The city has established plans to restrict traffic flow to Latham Island in the event of a future fire.

On June 2, streets were jammed with traffic as people flocked to the island to see a massive fire that destroyed a Morrison Drive duplex. The traffic jam delayed tankers shuttling water to the fire site.

Director of public safety, Dennis Marchiori said in future, traffic will be blocked off on Franklin Avenue by School Draw when fire commanders believe there's a need to restrict traffic because of an active fire.

Municipal enforcement officers will be called in to stop traffic "as quickly as possible."

Marchiori said there have been discussions with RCMP to have officers assist in traffic control. He said residents would probably be allowed through the roadblock to get back to their homes.

During the June 2 fire, everyone was barred from getting onto Latham Island for several hours.