Canada wildfire: Race to evacuate city as blaze approaches

Thousands of people fleeing a wildfire on the outskirts of Yellowknife, one of the largest cities in Canada’s north, have crowded into the local airport and the road out of town.

Hundreds have also lined up for emergency military evacuation flights.

Local officials have given the 20,000 residents of Yellowknife, in the Northwest Territories, a deadline of noon Friday (18:00 GMT) to leave.

As of Thursday, the fire was within 16km (10 miles) of the city.