Nearly two weeks after evacuations began in Hay River, fire crews continue to fight against the flames, containing the burn to around 3200 hectares since yesterday evening.
Extremely dry conditions led to flare-ups which were addressed quickly by helicopters and crews.
Dozers have covered the entire perimeter of the fire, so crews are now shifting their focus onto digs of burnable vegetation to stop the fire from jumping lines.
According to NWT Fire, if defenses at the south end of the fire are not strong enough, combined with ‘ultra-dry’ conditions, could be a recipe for disaster. NWT Fire adds it would not take much for the fire to travel the six kilometres to link the fire in the west and jump the river.
Crews successfully blacklined burnable fuel 100 feet from control lines on the west side of the fire closest to Hay River, strengthening the protection and reducing the risk of embers reaching Hay River.
