Jean Marie River First Nation has downgraded the Evacuation Alert to an Evacuation Notice. No new fires were reported today, but crews continue to battle fires across the territories amid challenging conditions.
Strong winds, dry air, and scattered storms are making for extreme fire weather across much of the NWT today. Even with a bit of rain, the risk is still high. This weekend, be extra careful—strong winds plus hot, dry air are a recipe for fast-moving fires,” cautioned NWT Fire today.
After over four days of being under an Evacuation Alert, Tthets’éhk’edélî (Jean Marie River First Nation) has been downgraded to an Evacuation Notice.
“The Community is de-escalating the Evacuation Alert to an Evacuation Notice due to a decreased fire risk at this time,” said a representative from the band office this afternoon on Facebook.
Community officials also urged the community to stay informed and prepared in case conditions change. Jean Marie River FN officials have also asked community members to check the band’s Facebook site regularly and to keep their radios on.
“For updates, please continue to monitor the community FB page,” said a community representative today.
Updates are also available on GNWT’s Public Safety webpage, the GNWT Fire Map.
𝗗𝗘𝗛𝗖𝗛𝗢 𝗥𝗘𝗚𝗜𝗢𝗡
Jean Marie River First Nation and NWT Fire issued an evacuation alert earlier this week, due to a fire that is located just over 20 km northwest of Jean-Marie River.
Officials continue to activate a response to the wildfire and are closely monitoring it along with the community as extreme fire weather conditions continue to persist across the territories.
“(W)ildfire crews and airtankers are continuing their work to keep the fire from spreading toward the community. Right now, two fire crews—made up of 11 firefighters—are working on the south side of the fire. Two machines are also on site, helping to strengthen the fire line. If the wind settles down, airtankers will be used to drop water or retardant on the southeast corner of the fire,” said officials today.
Earlier this week, structure protections were installed at the north end of the community.
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.
Earlier this week, airtankers dropped water and fire retardant on the fire and four fire crews battled the fire, along with two medium helicopters and one smaller one. Airtankers focused on the west side of the fire, north of Hook Lake.
Today, crews continued to battle the fire.
“This fire is still getting strong support from airtankers dropping water and fire retardant. Five fire crews are working on it, along with two medium helicopters and one smaller one, ‘ said officials.
“Yesterday, fire crews did a planned ignition—a controlled burn—on the southwest corner of the fire to help strengthen the fire line. Today, they’ll be clearing a path south of Hook Lake and continuing work along that same area to help hold the fire in place,” added officials.
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.
Firefighters continued to work on another fire located about 19 km northeast of Sambaa K’e (FS018). On Thursday, no crews were able to work on the fire due to strong winds, but yesterday, 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,” said NWT Fire yesterday.
Today, fire crews continued with the support of air assistance.
“Two fire crews and a helicopter are working on the fire today. They’re focusing on the east side, making sure any remaining hot spots are fully out and strengthening the fire line to keep the fire from spreading. The fire is still being held, and there is no threat to the community,” said NWT Fire.
Crews continue to battle a fire located about 6 km southeast of Nahanni Butte, first spotted Tuesday. On Tuesday, a crew and two air tankers activated the initial response. Yesterday, officials reported the fire was about 70 per cent held.
“This fire is still being held at about 1 hectare in size. One fire crew is on site, using hose lines all the way around the fire to keep it being held. They’ll need one more day of work to make sure the fire is fully held. Right now, there is no threat to the community,” said NWT Fire today.
NORTH SLAVE REGION
Officials reported that a wildfire near Hwy 3 was active today and the wildfire near Rae Rock Mine remains over 30,000 hectares in size. A fire near Campbell Lake is reported at about 14,794 hectares in size.
Fire crews reported that the wildfire on the south side of Campbell Lake borders one cabin.
“Crews have been mopping up around the cabin and are keeping the sprinkler and fire retardant lines in place to protect nearby buildings. Crews are reviewing the fire today and will come up with a plan by the end of the day,” said NWT Fire today.
Crews reported that the fire “burned up” earlier this week and stopped at the sprinkler line.
A wildfire located about 15 km east of Rae Rock Mine (ZF013) and about 8 km from the Snare Hydro Camp continues to be about 32,000 hectares in size, said officials.
“Fire crews have been checking the sprinkler kits and other equipment are in place to help protect the site. They’re now finishing up brushing work to clear away dry grass and shrubs near the camp as an extra safety step,” said NWT Fire today.
Yesterday, fire crews reported that they expected a group of wildfires (ZF014,015,016,017) located about 212 km 169 of Highway 3 would expand due to heavy winds.
As predicted, firefighters encountered more fire activity in ZF015 because the area didn’t see much rain.
“Wildfire crews are monitoring for any nearby cabins and are setting up structure protections, prioritizing based on threat,” said NWT Fire today.
Tuesday, officials declared the wildfire (ZF009) located about 8 km southeast of the NICO Cobalt Mine as being held. Firefighters reported that the fire is about 131 hectares in size and continues to be held.
A wildfire near Hidden Lake continues to be considered under control, reported NWT Fire today. Crews report it is approximately 2 hectares in size.
BEAUFORT DELTA REGION
In the Beaufort Delta region, firefighters continued to mobilize a response to wildfires and were able to prevent their spread.
About 15 km southwest of Fort McPherson, crews report that another wildfire (EV021-25) does not appear to have grown much and continues to be about 2,475 hectares in size. Earlier this week, the fire had doubled in size to 1240 hectares.
Today, officials reported that they continued work on small flare-ups and used helicopters to drop water on the fire. Crews caution that there may be smoke visible near Fort McPherson and along the highway.
“Road conditions and closures updates are available through the territorial drive advisories webpages at Drive NWT.
https://drivenwt.ca/
The wildfire located about 20 km southwest of Fort McPherson (EV019-25) remains about 112 hectares in size. Firefighters are continuing to monitor the fire and assured the fire poses no threats to the community of Fort McPherson, highway access, or cabins in the area at this time.
Crews continue to battle a 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.
Yesterday, there was one hot spot in the southwest corner that we were keeping a close eye on. Fire crews reached the area and started working on it, and helicopters were also dropping water to help cool it down,” said officials today.
SOUTH SLAVE REGION
Fire crews continue to activate a response to wildfires, thanks to multiple crews and air support, they were able to prevent the spread of fires in the South Slave region.
Located about 44 km south-east of Fort Resolution, a lightning-caused fire was reported yesterday (SS015).
“This fire was declared as being held last night. A fire crew is continuing work to fully extinguish it. There is no threat to any nearby communities or buildings,” said officials today.
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. On Thursday, officials reported the fire had grown from about 1300 hectares in size to 1,598 hectares.
Yesterday, crews made good progress and said they expected to have most of the fire surrounded with heavy equipment (like bulldozers) by the evening. Yesterday, two helicopters assisted with bucketing and crew/equipment moves.
Officials reported the fire remains 1,598 hectares in size today.
“(Bull)Dozers have got all the way around the fire, but there are still a few problem spots that heavy equipment and crews are working on today,” said firefighters today.
About 30 km north-west of Fort Providence, firefighters (SS014) continue to keep structure protections up on a nearby cabin as a precaution and said there is currently no threat to Fort Providence from the fire.
Officials reported today that the wildfire is about 80 hectares in size.
NWT Fire are warning that the challenging weather conditions of heat and heavy winds are posing a risk of fires spreading quickly.
Officials cautioned 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.
