Tthets’éhk’edélî (Jean Marie River First Nation) are on their fourth day of an evacuation alert due to a fire just over 20 km northwest of Jean-Marie River. Earlier this week, structure protections were installed at the north end of the community.
“Powerful winds and extreme fire weather are expected across many regions today, increasing the risk of rapid fire growth,” cautioned Fire crews.
Crews from NWT and Yukon continue to work to prevent a fire from spreading to Fort Liard.
Today crews were able to continue to mobilizing a response on a fire near Sambaa K’e with strong support from airtankers.
Firefighters said they expect a group of wildfires near Hwy 3 will likely spread. 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.
“As residents of Jean-Marie River are under an evacuation alert, wildfire crews and airtankers are working to hold the fire back and stop it from spreading toward the community. Crews are focusing their efforts on the southwest corner of the fire to help keep it under control,” 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 and are working to prevent their spread toward Fort Liard.
“This fire is getting strong support from airtankers dropping water and fire retardant. Four fire crews are working on the fire, along with two medium helicopters and one smaller one. Airtankers are focusing on the west side of the fire, north of Hook Lake.
Crews from the Yukon are also helping to stop the fire from spreading toward Fort Liard. Right now, there are no immediate threats to the community or important buildings.
Officials said the fires do not pose immediate threats to communities or infrastructure.
Firefighters continue an active response on another fire, located about 19 km northeast of Sambaa K’e (FS018). Yesterday, no crews were able to work on the fire due to strong winds, but today two crews were able to activate a response to the fire.
“They are focusing on strengthening the fire line on the east side to keep the fire from spreading. The fire is being held, and there is no threat to the community,” said NWT Fire.
Another fire located about 18km northeast of Wrigley (FS007) remains out of control.
Firefighters continue to mobilize a response on a fire located about 6 km southeast of Nahanni Butte, that was spotted Tuesday. On Tuesday, a crew and two air tankers activated the initial response.
“The fire is being held at about 1 hectare in size. Two fire crews and a helicopter are working on it. About 70 per cent of the fire’s edge is under control. Right now, there is no threat to the community,,” said NWT Fire today.
NORTH SLAVE REGION
Crews expect that a group of wildfires near Hwy 3 will likely spread and the wildfire near Rae Rock Mine remains over 30,000 hectares in size. Rain forecasted for this week is expected to continue to help the fire on the south side of Campbell Lake (ZF024).
Crews reported that 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.
A wildfire located about 15 km east of Rae Rock Mine (ZF013) remains about 32,000 continues to be about 32,000 hectares in size, said officials.
Firefighters are continuing to make assessments of the site and to monitor how structural protection is set up, including sprinkler kits and other equipment.
NWT reported today that they expect a group of wildfires (ZF014,015,016,017) located about 212-km 169 of Highway 3 will expand due to heavy winds.
“Under southerly to southwesterly winds, we expect the fires to grow north and east. There was more fire activity in ZF015 because the area didn’t get much rain yesterday. Wildfire crews are monitoring for any nearby cabins and are setting 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. Officials said that the fire continues to be held.
A wildfire near Hidden Lake continues to be considered under control. Crews report it is approximately 2 hectares in size.
BEAUFORT DELTA REGION
In the Beaufort Delta region, crews battled multiple fires and were able to prevent their spread.
About 15 km southwest of Fort McPherson, another wildfire (EV021-25) remains at about 2,475 hectares in size. Earlier this week the fire had doubled from 1240 hectares in size.
“Crews are putting out small flare-ups and using helicopters to drop water on the fire. 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 https://drivenwt.ca.
A wildfire located about 20 km southwest of Fort McPherson (EV019-25) continues to be clearly visible from the Dempster Highway and remains about 112 hectares in size. Crews are continuing to monitor the fire. Officials assured the fire poses 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).
Earlier this week 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.
“This fire is about 6,055 hectares in size. Two fire crews are working on the south side, and crews are also focusing on the areas that are still burning the most. Most of these hot spots are being found and put out. One area on the west side of the fire is more of a concern, so a team is being flown in today to work on it,” said NWT Fire.
SOUTH SLAVE REGION
A new wildfire was spotted in the South Slave region today.
Located about 44 km south-east of Fort Resolution a new lightning-caused fire is about 0.1 hectare in size, said officials.
“Fire crews are working on it, and there is no threat to any community or structures at this time,” said NWT Fire.
A fire that was spotted on Tuesday (SS013), located about 6 km south of Hwy 6 and about 7.5 km north-northeast of Hwy 5. Yesterday, officials reported the fire had grown from about 1300 hectares in size to 1,598 hectares.
Firefighters reported today that the fire remains 1,598 hectares in size.
“Crews are making good progress and expect to have most of the fire surrounded with heavy equipment (like bulldozers) by the end of today. Two helicopters are helping with bucketing and crew/equipment moves,” said NWT Fire today.
Officials advised residents to be aware of smoke in the area and to keep updated through the territorial drive advisories webpages https://drivenwt.ca.
About 30 km north-west of Fort Providence, firefighters (SS014) have set up structure protections on a nearby cabin as a precaution and said there is currently no threat to Fort Providence from the fire.
SAHTU
Two fires spotted earlier this week in the Sahtu region have not grown in size.
One fire was reported about 60 km north of Délı̨nę (VQ018) and is being monitored closely.
Officials said the fire continues to be about 80 hectares in size and is located about 35 kilometers southwest of 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. The fire continues to be about 5 hectares in size and located 75 kilometers north of buildings. Firefighters assured the fire is being monitored and does not pose a threat to any communities at this time.
NWT Fire are warning that 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, along with a number of other communities in territories remain under a fire ban.
 are on their fourth day of an evacuation alert due to a fire just over 20 km northwest of Jean-Marie River. Earlier this week, structure protections were installed at the north end of the community.){kind=link}