Wood Buffalo Fire cautioned that the fire danger level for Wood Buffalo National Park is very high. NWT Fire reported that the Tulip Lake wildfire remains held at about 14,000 hectares and a fire in the Dehcho region remains held at 11 hectares.
Officials warned that the relief from recent rainfall may be short-lived, as weather forecasts predict a return to hot, dry and humid conditions in the coming days. They ask the public to follow any recommendations in place, including any fire bans and assured the wildfires in NWT do not pose any risk to the public at this time.
Wood Buffalo Fire remind the public that a recreational fire ban remains in place for the park. Fire bans are also in place for Blackstone Territorial Park and Sambaa Deh Falls Territorial Park
In the South Slave region, crews say the Tulip Lake wildfire is holding at about 14,167 hectares in size.
Fire officials assured that the fire currently poses no risks to communities, but caution that “warmer weather is expected across most of the NWT in the coming days;
“Firefighters expect to see surface fire with the change in weather and will identify areas to focus efforts, using aircraft to support their work,” said NWT Fire today.
“Containment for the fire has increased to 40 per cent as firefighters have updated mapping and evaluated the fire after rainy weather earlier this week,” they added.
Crews are using helicopters along with ground resources, with water drops and providing information on fire behaviour.
“Firefighting efforts are focused on the west, north, and southern edges of the fire to secure the perimeter and provide for safety for nearby communities,” said NWT Fire.
Fishing and recreating along the Rapids is still allowed alongside the high-volume sprinkler systems.
“Residents are asked not to interfere with the equipment located in the river and shoreline,” warned officials.
They said that while the systems are being tested or in use, conditions will be put in place to ensure public safety.
The dock at the boat launch is accessible for public use when high-pressure testing is not in operation, said officials.
A separate Wildfire Information Bulletin is available daily as this fire operation progresses. NWT asks anyone who would like more details to head to the webpage.
In the Dehcho region, a wildfire is holding at 11 hectares. Officials said that the current weather conditions have caused some “flare ups” that firefighters are responding to.
“Crews continue to work on this fire and are reinforcing the containment by blacklining,” said NWT Fire.
This wildfire does not pose any danger for the community or nearby structures, said officials.
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 NWT Fire‘s website.
