Seven new fires were spotted today in the N.W.T. as crews continue to mobilize a response to existing wildfires. The town of Hay River has announced a return to a full fire ban.
“Fire danger remains high. Dry, windy conditions and the risk of lightning could lead to more active fire behaviour,” cautioned NWT Fire today.
Tthets’éhk’edélî (Jean Marie River First Nation remains on an evacuation notice. The band office 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.
Community officials have urged the community to keep 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.
Updates are also available on GNWT’s Public Safety webpage, the GNWT Fire Map.
Yesterday, 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 officials yesterday.
Today, firefighters continued to work on containing the wildfire.
“Crews and three helicopters are working to keep the fire from spreading,” said NWT Fire today.
Officials said that there is no threat to any nearby communities currently.
The Evacuation Notice remains active on the community’s Facebook page today.
𝗗𝗘𝗛𝗖𝗛𝗢 𝗥𝗘𝗚𝗜𝗢𝗡
In the Dehcho region, while the fire near Jean Marie River First Nation is now no longer considered a threat to the community and a fire near Sambaa K’e is nearly under control, multiple crews continue to battle a string of fires near Fort Liard.
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.
“Five fire crews are still working hard on this fire. Right now, there is no immediate danger to the community or other infrastructure,” said NWT Fire today.
Yesterday, multiple crews responded to the wildfire complex.
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.
Firefighters continued to respond to another fire located about 19 km northeast of Sambaa K’e (FS018).
“The fire is still being held and crews are working to call it under control,” said NWT Fire.
Yesterday, 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 crews yesterday.
Crews continued to respond to another fire located about 6 km southeast of Nahanni Butte, first spotted about one week ago. On Tuesday, a crew and two air tankers activated the initial response. Friday, crews reported the fire was about 70 per cent held.
The fire continues to be held at about 1 hectare in size since Saturday.
“Crews will be scanning the perimeter,” said NWT Fire today. The fire does not pose a threat to the community at this time, said officials.
NORTH SLAVE REGION
In the North Slave region, officials reported that two new fires were spotted today. Crews reported today that the fire near Campbell Lake continues to be about 14,794 hectares in size.
“Plans are in place to respond to any other risk that may be posed to the lodges or other cabins in the area,” said firefighters.
The fire is on the south side of the lake and borders one cabin.
Yesterday, officials reported that they 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.
On Saturday, 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 new lightning-caused fire was spotted today about 30 km east of Hwy 3 and about 60 km from Hwy 9, that is about 50 hectares in size and it’s being monitored. Crews said that the fire does not pose any immediate threat to any communities or structures.
Another new lightning-caused fire is located about 0.7 km northeast of the Yellowknife River and is about 5 hectares in size. Crews are currently monitoring the fire which poses no immediate threat to any communities or structures.
BEAUFORT DELTA REGION
In the Beaufort Delta region, a number of wildfires continue to be active despite consistent response from crews.
Officials reported today and yesterday that the wildfire (EV021-25) located about 15 km southwest of Fort McPherson, continues to be about 2,475 hectares in size, but is getting hotter and helicopters and crews are mobilizing a response.
Last week, the fire had doubled in size from 1240 hectares.
Yesterday, 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.
Saturday, officials reported that they continued work on small flare-ups and used helicopters to drop water on the fire.
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.
Crews continue an organized response on a fire located about 33 km east of Inuvik (EV017-25).
“There was more fire activity in the southwest corner. Crews were on site today and working that fire area,” said NWT Fire today.
Yesterday crews worked on two hot spots on the west side of the fire, with help from two helicopters dropping water.
Earlier this week, crews reported that the fire grew from about 3833 hectares in size to 6055 hectares. Today, firefighters report that the fire continues to cover 6055 hectares.
SOUTH SLAVE REGION
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 continues to be about 1,598 hectares in size and is now considered 95 per cent contained.
“Crews will continue to work to call the fire under control,” said NWT Fire today.
Yesterday, officials reported one problem area in the southeast corner that the were working on.
Last week, officials reported good progress. Friday, two helicopters assisted with bucketing and crew/equipment moves. Saturday, crews brought bulldozers up to the wildfire but reported some problem spots, which crews responded along with equipment.
SAHTU
In the Sahtu region, five new lightning- caused fires were spotted today Including two lightning-caused fires located near Fort Good Hope. On is located about 107 km southeast of of the town (VQ020) and another about 104 km northwest (VQ022) which are being monitored and poses no threat to the community at this time.
Another new lightening caused fire is located about 7.2 km southeast of Tulita on Four Mile Island. The wildfire is benign monitored and is not considered a threat to communities at this time.
Two lightning- caused fires are located near Colville Lake. One is located about 38 km southwest of the town (VQ023) and another is located about 128 km northeast of the town (VQ024). Both fires are being monitored and are not considered a threat to the community at this time.
The town of Hay River, among other locations in the territories have a full fire ban in effect.
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.
