Temperatures have cooled off slightly in the South Slave as the Town of Hay River begins its re-entry process today.
According to NWT Fire, heavy smoke is being held close to the ground and is shading the area from the sun, keeping temperatures low and moisture high in the area. Potential rainfall could hit the area this afternoon and limited rainfall appeared just before noon.
The blaze continues to hold within 500 metres of the Hospital, but risk has been slightly mitigated by crews along Highway 2; however, hotspots have continued popping up in the area.
Officials say despite several flareups very close to town, defenses continue to hold throughout the Hay River Corridor giving crews confidence that the risk has been “meaningfully” reduced.
Ignition operations planned yesterday have been reported as successful, with the controlled flames pushing eastward due to winds and meeting the wildfire.
NWT Fire says this process removed oxygen from the wildfire, knocking down large columns of flames and taking away the path for the fire to move closer to town and threaten both Hay River and the KFN reserve.
