Team Galusha safe after evacuation issued for Yellowknife due to wildfires

Yellowknife’s Team Galusha said members of the curling eam have evacuated the city due to wildfires approaching the Northwest Territories capital.

A full evacuation was issued late Wednesday for Yellowknife and the nearby communities of Ndilo and Dettah.

The team posted an update on social media Thursday morning saying skip Kerry Galusha is safe in Leduc, Alta. — about a 15-hour drive south of Yellowknife — while Margot Flemming, who throws third stones on the team, and coach Shona Barbour are en route to Alberta.

“Our team is receiving a lot of messages of concern, Kerry is safe in Leduc and Shona and Margot are on the highway driving to Alberta. It was a long night for them as the roads were congested, it was dark and smoky and there is not a lot of cell service on the road. They stopped on the side of the road to get some rest, but as you can imagine not much sleep was had.

“Thanks for all the concern everyone, we will try and post updates the best we can.”

Galusha, who throws lead stones while calling the shots for her team, has made 20 appearances at the Scotties Tournament of Hearts and competed in her 150th game in the event earlier this year.