The residents of Yellowknife are dealing with heavy smoke and potential power outages Tuesday as wildfires raging throughout the Northwest Territories creep closer to the capital.

There are currently at least 175 fires burning in the territory, and Highway 3 — the primary route that connects Yellowknife to the rest of the country — has been closed as crews battle fires burning adjacent to the road.

Also at risk are the fibre optic cables that carry the city’s internet and cellular service, as they are buried along the same route as Highway 3.

On Monday night, a fire began burning just 20 kilometres from Yellowknife, but has since been brought under control by emergency crews.

Watch the report from CBC’s Hilary Bird for more from Yellowknife.