Yellowknife wildfire: communication issues and Facebook news ban hamper evacuation efforts

Canada's ongoing fight with social media company Meta and the resulting ban has led to difficulties with staying on top of information

Communication issues, fast-spreading rumours and a Facebook news ban have all disrupted evacuation efforts by residents of Yellowknife, in Canada's Northwest Territories, as they race to leave the city before an out-of-control wildfire hits in the coming day or so.

On Wednesday night, officials told the city's 20,000 residents they had to be out by Friday at noon (1900 BST) before a massive wildfire gets any closer.