YELLOWKNIFE, Canada (AP) — Residents of the capital of Canada’s Northwest Territories were rushing to leave their homes before a deadline of noon Friday as one of hundreds of wildfires ravaging the region neared completion. the town of 20,000 inhabitants.

Thousands of people fled Thursday, walking hundreds of kilometers to safety or waiting in line to board emergency flights, as Canada’s worst fire season showed no signs of slowing.

The fire occurred 10 miles (16 kilometers) from the northern edge of Yellowknife on Thursday and authorities feared strong north winds could push the flames onto the only fire escape route, which was clogged with long caravans of cars.

Ten planes took off from Yellowknife on Thursday with 1,500 passengers on board, said Jennifer Young, director of corporate affairs for the Territories Ministry of Municipal and Community Affairs, adding that another 22 flights with an additional 1,800 people are expected to take off on Friday.

“I want to be clear that the city is not in immediate danger and that there is a safe period for residents to leave the city by road and air,” said Minister Shane Thompson of the Territorial Environment, during a press conference. “Without rain, it is possible (the fire) could reach the outskirts of the city by the weekend.”

Canada has seen a record number of wildfires this year, more than 5,700 blazes, burning more than 137,000 square kilometers (53,000 square miles) across the country, according to the Canadian Interagency Center forest fires. As of Thursday evening, there were 1,046 active wildfires in Canada, more than half of which were out of control.

In the Northwest Territories alone, 268 fires have already burned more than 21,000 square kilometers (8,100 square miles).

The Yellowknife evacuation was by far the largest in Canada so far this year, according to Ken McMullen, president of the Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs and fire chief of Red Deer, Alta.

“It’s one of those cases where you have to evacuate people as quickly as possible,” because the fire could block the only escape route as it advances toward the community.

Yellowknife Mayor Rebecca Alty stressed Thursday evening that the fire was not the only concern.

“As heavy smoke approaches, we encourage all residents to leave as soon as possible,” he added.

At the Big River gas station, about 300 km south of Yellowknife, the line of cars waiting to fill up was “extraordinary,” said Linda Croft, an employee. “We don’t see where this ends.”

About 6,800 people across eight communities in the territories were forced from their homes, including the small community of Enterprise, which was almost completely destroyed. Authorities said everyone escaped alive.