A fourth day of extreme heat and heavy winds created compounded challenges for firefighters in the N.W.T., but crews were able to maintain the fire lines. In the Dehco region, ground crews had to pull back yesterday evening from a fire near Jean Marie River First Nation but air crews were able to hold the fire line. Three new fires were reported in the NWT since yesterday; all of the new starts were spotted in the Dehcho region.
In the North and South Slave region, wildfires along Hwy 3 are showing increased activity, impacting visibility for firefighters and travellers.
Mike Westwick, a fire information officer with NWT Fire, told True North FM earlier this week that all regions are expected to experience a sharp increase in fire danger. Westwick said the fire danger risks will continue through the week with temperatures rising in the South Slave and Dehcho and far above seasonal temperatures in the North Slave, Beaufort Delta, and Sahtú.
“We could really see some pretty extreme temperatures approaching 30 degrees and winds mostly from the south. Specifically, fires that folks will see much more activity in the next couple of days in that fire (ZF015-25) along Hwy 3,” said Westwick.
Smoke from wildfires and heat and continued to cause visibility and poor air quality conditions throughout the NWT today.
DEHCHO
There were three new fires spotted in the Dehcho region since yesterday, including a lightning-caused fire (FS035) located about 13.8 km west of Sambaa K’e Lake.
“This lightning-caused fire is approximately 2 hectares in size and is being monitored. There is currently no threat to communities, infrastructure, or cabins,” said NWT Fire today.
Another new blaze (FS034) has been reported about 29 km northeast of Fort Liard and about 9.7 km east of Highway 7.
“This lightning caused fire is less than a hectare in size and is under initial attack by a crew and helicopter. There is currently no threat to communities, infrastructure, or cabins,” said NWT Fire.
Another new lightening caused fire (FS032 )was reported about 2 km east of North Nahanni River and about 14 km west-southwest of Camsell Bend. This fire is about 5 hectares in size and is being monitored by crews. Officials said that there is no threat to the community’s infrastructure or cabins at this time.
The wildfires of the Fort Liard complex, including fires FS009 and FS014, continue to bea priority for firefighters, but fire crews had to be pulled off the line for safety reasons late yesterday as air support continued to hold the fire line on the fire’s south end.
Fire FS018 expanded south and smoke has delayed air response, said crews.
“FS018 jumped a creek on the south end and a crew is enroute today to work on containment and structure protection in the area. Smoke has delayed air attack on these fires today but has also meant that the fire has not been as active,” said NWT Fire today.
Officials assured that there is no threat to Fort Simpson or the ferry landing at this time.
According to the last reported measure of it’s closest points, the FS014-25 fire remains about 14 km from Jean Marie River First Nation, 21 km east on the far side of the Liard River and about 14 km east of Fort Simpson Ferry Landing.
Yesterday, crews conducted an ignition operation to the south of the fire front of FS014 and worked to maintain the fire line. Yesterday, officials reported that the fire had moved away from the communities of Jean Marie River and Fort Simpson.
Jean Marie River First Nation remains on an Evacuation Alert. Westwick advised community members to keep vehicles full of fuel and have any important belongings prepared and packed to go.
Westwick advised community members should keep updated with the latest information about the fire by checking the community’s social media pages and visiting NWTFire.com’s facebook and website.
Jean Marie River First Nation officials urged the community to keep informed and prepared in case conditions change.
Officials advised community members to check the community Facebook Page, to listen to the radio station 101.9 and to check community information boards for updates.
Updates are also available on GNWT’s Alert pages webpage and the GNWT Fire Map.
NWT Fire assured that the village of Fort Simpson is not currently at threat due to the wildfire.
NORTH SLAVE REGION
The wildfire located about 3 km west of Hwy 3 (ZF015-25), which had grown from 23,116 hectares in size to 31,046 hectares last week, is expected to show increased activity this week as weather conditions heat up.
Today and for much of this week, crews have continued to work to maintain structure protection on nearby cabins and continue to mop up the area.
Officials advised that smoke and visibility challenges persist and “are likely” for travellers. NWT Fire advised to drive with caution and to follow directions from any crew in the area.
Firefighters also advised to be aware that wildfire crews and water tenders are working to protect cabins along the highway and asked that the public exercise caution when travelling.
Officials advise travellers to check conditions on roadways using DriveNWT.ca.
Officials reported that the wildfire near Campbell Lake and east of Hearne Lake and Watta Lake Lodge (F024-25) is expected to see continued increased fire activity over the next few days as the weather heats up.
Officials said that lodges at Hearne and Watta Lake are not at threat. Today and earlier this week, crews carried on maintaining sprinklers in the area and sought to respond to fires spotted within the fire’s perimeter.
“A containment line has been established on the south side of Buckham Lake and will also be monitored for fire activity. Additional lodges and values on the land are being assessed and protected with sprinklers as required to prepare for the long-term management of this wildfire,” said NWT Fire today.
SOUTH SLAVE
The wildfire (SS014-25) located about 27 km northwest of Fort Providence is showing more signs of fire activity.
“Crews are continuing to ensure sprinklers are up around nearby structures and are mopping up the area,” said NWT Fire today.
Firefighters reported a large smoke column is visible in Fort Providence and to travellers on Highway 3.
“Winds from the east are pushing the fire westward and away from the community. The smoke column looks much closer than it is – the fire has grown and is around 24km northwest of Fort Providence,” said crews.
Officials said the community of Fort Providence is not at threat because of the location of swamps and other barriers to fire spread to the south.
“There are no threats to communities due to the wildfire at this time,” said NWT Fire today.
Yesterday, the fire “took a run toward the northwest,” but crews had sprinklers in place protecting structures and mopping up the area.
The SAHTU and BEAUFORT DELTA
NWT Fire reported today that currently there are no fires of concern in these regions.
NWT Fire ask anyone who would like more information to head to www.nwtfire.com or reach a Wildfire Information Officer at 867-445-5484 for updated information on the wildfire situation.
Officials urged residents to be mindful of campfires and bans in place.
Fort Simpson is among the communities with a full fire ban in place. Hay River is among the communities with a partial fire ban in place.
