After four habituated black bears were killed in Norman Wells on Aug. 23–24, GNWT officials urged residents to secure attractants and follow bear-safety practices. The community has logged 29 bear-related calls this summer.

Unusually low waters in the Mackenzie River during late summer 2025, disrupting traditional and commercial river transport and indicating a shift from riverbed to riparian areas.

Cathy Pope, a berry picker from Norman Wells, N.W.T., said there has been an abundance of blueberries this year, and that she's "never seen it like this." Despite the ample availability of fruit, thick wildfire smoke — some of the worst in the country, at times — has made it hard for Pope to go out and pick.

Smoke exposure can cause several symptoms, including sore eyes, tears, cough and runny nose. People who are active outdoors are the most at-risk, according to the health advisory issued Tuesday morning. 

Officers received four separate calls in 48 hours from Sunday to Monday. The wolves were quite active, quite brazen, coming out in the daylight hours right in residential areas. One resident had a dog encounter with one of the wolves but was not harmed.

The N.W.T.'s Marine Transportation Services has announced it is cancelling barges to Norman Wells and Tulita due to low water levels.