A cut fibre line south of Fort Nelson, B.C. Monday morning has caused disruptions to phone services across the territories and northern B.C.

Technicians with Northwestel are trying to fix the problem causing intermittent disruptions to long distance phone service, 1-800 calling and wireless services like cellphones.

“Northwestel has rerouted traffic along a redundant path, but customers may experience congestion until repairs are complete,” the company said in a statement.

Local calling between landline phones are not affected. Neither is video or Internet service.

Callers trying to use their cellphones or reach someone else’s cellphone are often having their calls fail or getting the message that “all circuits are busy.”

Northwestel hasn’t said when it expects the situation to be fixed.

Landline access to 911 is not impacted.

”Cellular calls to 911 may be impacted,” spokesperson Adriann Kennedy said in an email.

“In the case of an emergency, we recommend the use of landline phones.”

In a statement this afternoon, the Yukon Community Services Department, City of Whitehorse and RCMP said people should keep trying 911 if their emergency call does not go through right away.

“At the same time, send someone to the nearest City of Whitehorse fire hall or any RCMP detachment office to report the emergency and location. Emergency services will radio for help.”

Contact Ashley Joannou at ashleyj@yukon-news.com