Fire crews from NWT, Alberta Wildfire, including representation from the Tthebatthı Dënesųłiné First Nation and the US are keeping wildfire held in the territories. Officials report that favourable weather conditions are benefiting wildfire response efforts, but caution that warmer weather and windy conditions are expected in coming days.
In the Dehcho region, crews are continuing to work on a wildfire that remains 11 hectares in size. They are reinforcing the containment of the fire by blacklining. Officials said this fire is being held and it does not pose a threat to the community or nearby structures at this time.
In the South Slave region, a wildfire that was located about 24 km northwest of Fort Smith has been declared out, but the Tulip Lake wildfire remains about 14,167 hectares in size.
Alberta Wildfire, including representation from the Tthebatthı Dënesųłiné First Nation and NWT fire crews continue to respond to the wildfire under a unified command, deploying crews and resources to limit the fire’s growth.
A US Incident Management Team, deployed under the Northwest Compact agreement, is supporting the wildfire response on behalf of Alberta Wildfire.
Crews continue to monitor on both sides of the border and are putting up protections around nearby structures. Officials said that there is no risk to the community at this time.
Officials reported no significant changes in the fire’s growth on Tuesday, with the fire’s behaviour remaining low. Due to rain and cool temperatures, they said the wildfire is holding at 36 per cent contained.
“These conditions remain favourable for firefighting efforts,” said Fire crews.
With the support of aircrafts, crews continue to use the mild and wet weather conditions to their advantage to secure and extend containment lines. Crews have been focusing efforts on the northwest, west, and southwest sides of the fire to prevent growth towards communities.
Earlier this week NWT Fire said that the testing of the high-volume sprinkler system was successful and over 10 km of sprinkler systems were installed.
These were installed as a precaution to protect Fort Fitzgerald, Border Town, Halfway, and Fort Smith.
“Cooler weather does not mean it’s time to get complacent, warmer weather is expected in the coming days. Thus, gusty winds means fires could move quickly,” cautioned NWT Fire.
Fire officials urged the public to pay close attention to fire danger weather alerts and to avoid campfires if fire danger is high or extreme. They also urge the public to follow any fire bans in place.
Anyone who would like more information about fire danger, the live fire map, and detailed updates can head to www.nwtfire.com.
