This weekend, crews on land, air and water were able to prevent the spread of existing wildfires despite persisting hot, dry conditions and heavy winds in the territories. No new fires were reported. Jean Marie First Nation was downgraded from an evacuation alert to an evacuation notice.
Everyone should stay alert, as hot, dry, and windy conditions—along with the risk of lightning—could cause fires to become more active in the coming days,” NWT Fire today.
DEHCHO REGION
Tthets’éhk’edélî (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.
Yesterday, after over four days of being under an Evacuation Alert, Jean Marie River First Nation was 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 yesterday 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.
Today NWT Fire reported that Jean Marie River First Nation is no longer considered at risk, but crews continue to activate a response to the wildfire.
“Crews have removed the sprinkler equipment from around the community. Work is still being done in the forest to stop the fire from spreading, and the rain in the area has helped slow it down. Today, there are two fire crews, a supervisor, and several helicopters working on the fire. Some crews are focusing on one side this afternoon, while others are working on a different section,” said NWT Fire today.
The Evacuation Notice remains active on the community’s Facebook page today.
In the Dehcho region, while the fire near Jean Marie River First Nation is now no longer considered a threat to the community, multiple crews continue to battle a string of fires near Fort Liard and another near Sambaa K’e.
Firefighters from the Yukon joined NWT Fire crews earlier last week to contain a string of wildfires (FS002, FS006 and FS009) in the Liard Complex continue to activate a response to prevent their spread toward Fort Liard.
Today, officials report that multiple crews continue to battle the wildfires.
“Fire crews are still hard at work on this fire. One crew is packing up gear from an earlier location and moving to a new area. Another crew is checking on sprinkler systems around,” said NWT Fire.
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.
Yesterday, firefighters worked diligently to control 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.
“(Friday), 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.
Today, crews also continued to work on another fire located about 19 km northeast of Sambaa K’e (FS018). Officials organized a response via land, air and water today.
“Two fire crews and a fire technician are working on the east side of the fire, making sure it is being held. Because of poor visibility near Fort Liard, the crews are being moved by boat. Once the smoke clears, they plan to bring in equipment to help. The fire is still being held, and there is no threat to the community,” said NWT Fire today.
On Thursday, no crews were able to work on the fire due to strong winds, but on Friday, 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.
Yesterday, fire crews continued with the support of air assistance on the east side of the fire, working to ensure hot spots were fully extinguished. They also strengthened the fire line to prevent the fire from spreading.
Today, firefighters continue to respond to another fire located about 6 km southeast of Nahanni Butte, first spotted Tuesday. On Tuesday, a crew and two air tankers activated the initial response. Friday, crews reported the fire was about 70 per cent held.
Today and yesterday, officials said the fire continues to be held at about 1 hectare in size.
“Crews are working to contain the perimeter. The fire is being held; there is no threat to the community,” said NWT Fire today.
NORTH SLAVE REGION
Crews spotted problem areas in the wildfire near Hwy 3, where they plan to conduct a controlled burn. The wildfire near Rae Rock Mine continues to cover over 30,000 hectares of land. Officials reported that the fire near Campbell Lake continues to be about 14,794 hectares in size.
The fire is on the south side of the lake and borders one cabin.
Firefighters are focusing on certain areas of the fire to prevent its spread.
“Crews will be working on this fire and have found some hot spots they want to put out before the weather gets hotter and the fire becomes more active again,” said NWT Fire today.
Yesterday, firefighters mopped up around the cabin and monitored the sprinkler and the fire retardant lines in place to protect nearby buildings. 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 remains about 32,000 hectares in size, said officials.
“Fire crews are working in the area. One team is stationed at the camp, doing a lot of clearing work and has sprinklers set up to protect it. Crews will focus more on this fire tomorrow after finishing their work on another fire today,” said NWT Fire this evening.
Yesterday, crews checked the sprinkler kits and other equipment in place to help protect the site. They also completed brushing work to clear away dry grass and shrubs near the camp as an extra safety precaution.
On Friday, 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, today and yesterday, firefighters encountered more fire activity in ZF015 because the area didn’t see much rain.
“Fire crews spotted a few problem areas. Yesterday, there was a lot of fire activity because of strong winds and very little rain. There are a few spots where crews can clean up and do a controlled burn to connect the fire to areas that already burned in 2014–2015, which could help slow it down. If the weather allows, crews are hoping to work on that today. If this happens, people may see more smoke between kilometre 166 and 160 on the highway. We want to let everyone know there may be more visible fire activity in the area,” said NWT Fire today.
Road conditions and closures updates are available through the territorial drive advisories webpages at Drive NWT.
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 yesterday. Crews reported it was approximately 2 hectares in size.
BEAUFORT DELTA REGION
In the Beaufort Delta region, crews continued to battle wildfires and were able to prevent their spread.
Crews report today and yesterday that the wildfire (EV021-25) located bout 15 km southwest of Fort McPherson, 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, firefighters cleared an area to prevent the fire’s expansion.
“Crews are removing dry brush and vegetation on the southeast side,” said NWT Fire today.
Yesterday, officials reported that they continued work on small flare-ups and used helicopters to drop water on the fire.
Crews caution again today 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.
Firefighters continue to activate a response on a fire located about 33 km east of Inuvik (EV017-25).
“Fire crews are working on two hot spots on the west side of the fire, with help from two helicopters dropping water,” said NWT Fire today.
Earlier this week, crews reported that the fire grew from about 3833 hectares in size to 6055 hectares.
“Friday, 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 yesterday.
Yesterday, officials said a wildfire located about 20 km southwest of Fort McPherson (EV019-25) remains about 112 hectares in size. Crews said the fire poses no threats to the community of Fort McPherson, highway access, or cabins in the area.
SOUTH SLAVE REGION
Firefighters continued an organized response to area wildfires in the South Slave. Multiple crews and air support were able to prevent the spread of fires again today in the region.
Crews made progress on a fire located about 44 km south-east of Fort Resolution, a reported on Friday (SS015).
“This fire is now being held. One fire crew is continuing to work to fully extinguish the fire. There is no threat to any nearby communities or buildings,” said NWT Fire 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.
Earlier this week officials reported good progress and said they expected to have most of the fire surrounded with heavy equipment (like bulldozers) by the evening. Friday, two helicopters assisted with bucketing and crew/equipment moves.Yesterday, crews brought bulldozers up to the widlfre but reported some problem spots, which crews responded along with equipment.
Today, crews reported the fire remains 1,598 hectares in size and is about 90 per cent contained.
“There’s still one problem area in the southeast corner that crews are working on,” said NWT Fire today.
SAHTU
In the Sahtu region, firefighters are monitoring a lightning-caused fire located about 60 km north of Délı̨nę (VQ018).
Officials said the fire continues to be about 80 hectares in size and is located about 35 km southwest of the buildings.
“Winds tonight are expected to push it away from the community of Délı̨nę. Rain in the forecast for Wednesday should help reduce fire activity. Smoke may be visible in Délı̨nę, but there is no threat to the community at this time,” said NWT Fire.
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.
