Crews reported hot, dry conditions across much of the territories, especially in southern regions today, as they activated a continued response to existing wildfires. One community in the Dehcho remains under an evacuation notice.
In the North Slave region, a wildfire located near Hwy 3 continued to show increased fire activity again today, measuring over 20,000 hectares in size.
The Beaufort Delta region is seeing persisting fire activity due to heat and dry conditions and one new fire is located about 105 km east of Inuvik.
In the Dehcho region, a fire complex remains active despite the work of multiple crews. Officials continue to activate a response and said the fire is about 4,147 hectares in size, but does not pose a threat at this time.
Tthets’éhk’edélî (Jean Marie River First Nation) continues to be on an evacuation notice.
The band office and NWT Fire issued an evacuation alert about one week ago, due to a fire that is located about 24 km northwest of Jean-Marie River and about 23 km southeast of Fort Simpson.
Jean Marie River First Nation officials 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.
Updates are also available on GNWT’s Public Safety webpage and the GNWT Fire Map.
The Evacuation Notice remains active on the community’s Facebook page today.
𝗗𝗘𝗛𝗖𝗛𝗢 𝗥𝗘𝗚𝗜𝗢𝗡
In the Dehcho region, while a wildfire near Sambaa K’e remains under control, a fire complex near Fort Liard continues to persist despite consistent active response from firefighters.
Crews from the Yukon joined NWT Fire crews last week to battle a string of wildfires (FS002, FS006 and FS009) near Fort Liard. Officials continued to work to prevent its spread toward the community of Fort Liard.
Today and yesterday, firefighters focused on protecting structures at Bovie Lake, around the community, and along the highway.
The fire does not pose an immediate threat to the communtiy.
Over the past few days, five fire crews have worked diligently to activate a response to this fire.
On Sunday, multiple crews responded to the wildfire complex. Last 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.
The wildfire located about 19 km northeast of Sambaa K’e (FS018) remains under control. Today and yesterday, firefighters created a firebreak 50 feet inside the fire’s edge and carefully monitored for and extinguished hot spots.
On Tuesday, the fire continued being held as crews worked to call it under control. Sunday, officials organized a response via land, air and water. Two fire crews and a fire technician responded on the east side of the fire. Because of poor visibility near Fort Liard, crews also approached by boat.
Areas of a fire located about 18km northeast of Wrigley (FS007) are seeing activity.
“The fire, 1010 hectares in size, remains active to the southeast of Wrigley. Crews are closely monitoring the situation, and there is currently no threat to the community.,” said NWT Fire today.
Tuesday, officials saw fire activity on the southeast corner. Smoke caused poor visibility in the Fort Simpson area, making it difficult to scan the area.
NORTH SLAVE REGION
In the North Slave region, the wildfire located near Hwy 3 showed heightened fire activity again today and is currently over 20,000 hectares in size.
The wildfire near Campbell Lake and east of Hearne Lake (F024-25) persists at about 14,794 hectares in size.
Yesterday and today, crews responded to the fire and set up protections, including sprinklers around nearby lodges. Firefighters carried on with ignition work and mop-up operations today and yesterday to manage the fire safely.
Officials are keeping a close eye on the area for potential risk to values.
This weekend, crews focused on certain areas of the fire to prevent its spread and mopped up around the cabin. They also monitored the sprinkler and the fire retardant lines in place to protect nearby buildings.
A wildfire located about 3 km west of Hwy 3 (ZF015-25) has seen heightened fire activity in the past two days.
Today and yesterday, saw significant fire activity in this area.
Officials reported that the fire is currently 23,116 hectares in size.
Today and yesterday, firefighters mobilized to protect cabins and property along the highway. They focussed on putting out hot spots and closely monitoring the fire. Today and yesterday, aiirtankers dropped retardant around cabins to help create a barrier and keep the fire away.
On Tuesday, crews were also occupied putting out hot spots and closely monitoring the blaze.
BEAUFORT DELTA REGION
The Beaufort Delta region is seeing persisting fire activity due to heat and dry conditions and one new fire is located about 105 km east of Inuvik.
“This fire covers approximately 10 hectares and is currently out of control. Crews are monitoring this lightning-caused fire. There is no risk to infrastructure, cabins, or communities at this time,” said NWT Fire today.
The wildfire (EV021-25) located about 15 km southwest of Fort McPherson, remains about 2,475 hectares in size with officials continuing their response today. Yesterday, crews worked on the southwest and southeast sides of the fire.
Monday, officials reported that the fire was getting hotter and helicopters and crews were mobilizing a response. Last weekend, firefighters cleared an area to prevent the fire’s expansion, responded to small flare-ups and used helicopters to drop water on the fire.
Officials assured that the blaze does not pose a risk to the community at this time. They warn 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.
Crews continued a strategic response to a fire located about 33 km east of Inuvik (EV017-25).
Firefighters carried on responding to hot spots along the western edge of the fire today. Officials said that thre is no threat to the community at this time.
The wildfire remains approximately 6,055 hectares in size. Monday night there was a flare-up in the southwest corner and crews were able to put it out. Sunday, crews worked on two hot spots on the west side of the fire, with help from two helicopters dropping water.
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 persists at about 1,598 hectares in size and remains 95 per cent contained.
“Crews are still working on the fire,” said NWT Fire today.
On Sunday, officials reported one problem area in the southeast corner that they 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 with the help of equipment.
A fire located about 30 km northwest of Fort Providence is about 80 hectares in size.
A crew has begun to set up sprinklers on a nearby cabin and assess the fire. Officials assured that there is no threat to Fort Providence.
This week, the town of Hay River re-implemented a full fire ban, along with a number of other communities in the N.W.T.
NWT Fire are warning that the challenging weather conditions of heat and heavy winds are posing a risk of fires spreading quickly.
Officials urged residents to be mindful of campfires and to take extra care to be sure fires are fully extinguished.
