Residents of Yellowknife, a Canadian city hit by a wildfire, are scrambling to leave by air and road ahead of a noon Friday evacuation deadline.

According to BBC News, the city’s main highway is packed with traffic, while the airport has seen hours-long queues and people being turned away from filled flights.

The ongoing fire is one of 240 in the Northwest Territories and, on Saturday, it could threaten the outskirts of the city, home to 20,000 people.

The evacuation was ordered on Wednesday because authorities fear the main road in and out of the city could be cut off well before the fire reaches the city.

Reception areas have been set up in Calgary, Alberta, to take evacuees arriving by air or road.