Crews said they are expecting more “extremely challenging weather” with high winds and warm temperatures in regions across the NWT that could cause fires to spread “significantly.”
Tthets’éhk’edélî (Jean Marie River First Nation) is continuing into a third day of an evacuation alert due to a fire just over 20 km northwest of Jean-Marie River. A community meeting with GNWT’s Environment and Climate Change department is being held at the band office today at 6 p.m. Yesterday structure protections were installed at the north end of the community.
A wildfire located about 33 km east of Inuvik has doubled in size since yesterday.
Smokey conditions along Hwy 3 and Hwy 6 continue to be reported and on portions of Hwy 8 near the NWT/Yukon. Officials advise travellers to get the latest road conditions updates on DriveNWT.ca
DEHCHO REGION
In the Dehcho region, Tthets’éhk’edélî (Jean Marie River First Nation) continues to keep watch under an evacuation alert due to a fire (FS014), just over 20 km northwest of Jean-Marie River.
“ECC expects high fire activity to come in the absence of rain. Wildfire crews and airtankers continue work to contain it and minimize growth toward the community,” said NWT Fire today.
Jean-Marie River First Nation officials and Fire crews are cautioning community members to be prepared to evacuate on short notice
“Residents of Jean Marie River should be ready to evacuate on short notice due to a wildfire in the area. This is currently an alert to prepare. If you need to evacuate, an order will be issued with further information,” said officials.
Jean-Marie River First Nation officials and NWT Fire are asking community members to go to GNWT’s Public Safety webpage the GNWT Fire Map and to check with the Band Office regarding any questions about the alert.
Jean Marie River FN officials are also asking community members to check the band’s facebook site regularly and to keep their radios on.
Fire crews from the Yukon joined NWT Fire crews earlier last week to contain a string of wildfires (FS002, FS006 and FS009) in the Liard Complex.
Crews reported that the fires do not pose immediate threats to communities or infrastructure.
Firefighters continue an active response on another fire 19 km northeast of Sambaa K’e (FS018).
“Yesterday, no crews were able to work because of strong winds. A small new fire started on the south side of the creek. One machine and two crews are currently working on the fire,” said NWT Fire.
Another fire located about 18km northeast of Wrigley (FS007) remains out of control.
About 6 km southeast of Nahanni Butte, a wildfire (FS023) that was spotted Tuesday is being held. On Tuesday, a crew and two air tankers activated the initial response.
“The fire is currently being held a size of 1 hectare. A helicopter and a crew is currently working on the fire. There is no thread to community at this time,” said NWT Fire.
NORTH SLAVE REGION
Crews said that rain forecasted for this week is expected to help the fire on the south side of Campbell Lake (ZF024).
The fire “burned up” earlier this week and stopped at the sprinkler line. Crews are continuing to mop up around the cabin and maintain sprinklers and retardant lines to protect nearby structures. Rain forecasted for this week is expected to help, said NWT Fire.
On Tuesday, officials reported that the wildfire located about 15 km east of Rae Rock Mine (ZF013) grew from about 4,000 hectares in size to about 32,000 hectares. It remains about 32,000 hectares in size, said officials.
“Crews are assessing the site to check how structural protection is set up, including sprinkler kits and other equipment,” said officials.
Firefighters cautioned that they expect a group of wildfires (ZF014,015,016,017) located about 212-km 169 of Highway 3 will continue to spread north and east due to heavy winds.Fire crews continue to monitor for any nearby cabins and have up structure protections, prioritizing based on threat, said officials.
Tuesday, officials declared the wildfire (ZF009) located about 8 km southeast of the NICO Cobalt Mine as being held.
The fire on Hidden Lake is considered under control and is approximately 2 hectares in size.
BEAUFORT DELTA REGION
In the Beaufort Delta region, one fire has doubled in size since yesterday.
About 15 km southwest of Fort McPherson, another wildfire (EV021-25 ) has doubled in size from 1240 hectares in size to 2,475 hectares.
“Crews are responding to flare-ups and using helicopters to drop water in the area, likely starting near the creek and working their way uphill. People may see smoke around Fort McPherson and along the highway,” said NWT Fire.
Road conditions and closures updates are available through the territorial drive advisories webpages
A fire located about 20 km southwest of Fort McPherson (EV019-25) remains clearly visible from the Dempster Highway and remains about 112 hectares in size. Firefighters are continuing to monitor the fire. Officials assured no threats to the community of Fort McPherson, highway access, or cabins in the area at this time.
Firefighters continue to mobilize an active response to the wildfire, located about 33 km east of Inuvik (EV017-25).
Yesterday, crews reported that the fire grew from about 3833 hectares in size to 6055 hectares. Two continue to work on the fire along its south side.
Officials assured there are no threats to the community or other values at this time.
SOUTH SLAVE REGION
In the South Slave region, a fire reported Tuesday (SS013), located about 6 km south of Hwy 6 and about 7.5 km north-northeast of Hwy 5 has grown from about 1300 hectares in size to 1,598 hectares.
“With strong winds expected this week, crews—along with two helicopters and heavy equipment, including dozers, Nodwells, and water tenders—are working hard to keep the fire from spreading beyond its current area. Crews are making good progress,” said crews.
Officials advised residents to be aware of smoke in the area and to keep updated through the territorial drive advisories webpages
About 30 km north-west of Fort Providence, firefighters (SS014) have set up structure protections on a nearby cabin as a precaution. Officials said there is currently no threat to Fort Providence from the fire.
SAHTU
Crews continue to monitor two new fires were spotted yesterday in the Sahtu region.
VQ018 (60km north of Délı̨nę) This lightning-caused fire is about 80 hectares and 35 kilometers southwest of any buildings. It is being watched closely and does not threaten any communities right now.
One fire was reported about 60 km north of Délı̨nę (VQ018) and is being monitored closely.
“This lightning-caused fire is about 80 hectares and 35 kilometers southwest of any buildings. It is being watched closely and does not threaten any communities right now,” said NWT Fire.
Another wildfire about 125 km east-southeast of Colville Lake (VQ019) is being monitored.
“This lightning-caused fire is about 5 hectares in size and located 75 kilometers north of any buildings. It is being monitored and does not pose a threat to any communities right now,” said firefighters.
NWT Fire are warning that the the challenging weather conditions of heat and heavy winds are posing a risk of fire to be able to travel quickly.
Fire officials urge residents to be mindful of campfires and to take extra care to be sure fires are fully extinguished.
“Human-caused fires can pull resources from other fires as they are often closest to the things we care about. ALWAYS SOAK-STIR-SOAK your campfire!,” warned NWT Fire.
The town of Hay River, is under a partial fire ban. Officials urge the public to check fire bans in place in their region.
