NWT Fire has issued an update on the blaze to the Southwest of Fort Liard.
The fire is still listed as out of control at this time. There are 44 firefighters, three helicopters, two structure protection units, and an Incident Management Team currently being employed to push the fire back. The fire is estimated to be around 913 hectares in size. At its closest point, it is measured to be 19 kilometres away from Fort Liard.
While the fire is technically not contained, efforts by firefighters around the area have prevented it from growing closer to the community, and the Hamlet of Fort Liard is no longer under an Evacuation Notice. Twenty firefighters from Yukon have been mobilized to join in on the containment effort, and no structures have been lost to this fire.
As work continues on fighting the fire, local residents are advised to keep clear of workers and their equipment. Drivers are reminded to stay clear of burned areas, as damaged root systems can cause trees to fall more easily. Anyone who is planning to travel to Fisherman’s Lake is reminded that fire crews are active on the west side of the Liard River and will be there for some time.
Helicopters will also be continuously using nearby rivers and lakes to fill their buckets, so anyone who may be out boating should keep an eye out.
A healthy amount of rain in the area, combined with efforts to reduce the amount of fuel available to the fire, have left crews feeling confident in their ability to keep the community safe.
