Crews reported that again today the territories experienced milder cooler temperatures, which have assisted Wildland crews in responding to fires in the Dehcho, the North Slave and South Slave regions.
Officials advise that as the week progresses, rising temperatures and drier conditions are forecasted.
The Dehcho, the North Slave and South Slave continued to see decreased fire activity again today overall, but a wildfire located near Fort Providence, and the fire near Hwy 3 in the North Slave remained active today.
A in the Dehcho continues to be on an Evacuation Notice due to a fire located about 12.5 km away, but officials assured that there is no threat to this community or another neighbouring community at this time.
DEHCHO
Crews continued to monitor wildfires in the Fort Liard complex. The wildfire (FS014-25) was last assessed at being located about 12.5 km northwest of Jean Marie River and about 22 km southeast of Fort Simpson.
Wildland firefighters reported that smoke plumes will be visible from Fort Simpson and Jean Marie River. Fire activity continued to be monitored and
Tthets’éhk’edélî (Jean Marie River First Nation) remains on an Evacuation Notice.
Jean Marie River First Nation officials advised community members to check the community Facebook Page for updates.
Updates are also available on GNWT’s Alert pages webpage and the GNWT Fire Map.
Officials also advised community members to keep informed and prepared in case conditions change.
Wildland fire crews reported that structure protection will continue at fire FS009, east of Fort Liard as a precaution. Officials said there remains no threat to communities or infrastructure at this time due to this fire.
SOUTH SLAVE REGION
The fire (SS014-25) located about 24 km northwest of Fort Providence is over 18, 000 hectares in size. Officials reported today that the fire has seen considerable growth yesterday and today.
The fire persists at about 18,429 hectares in size and crews reported it may continue to be visible from Hwy 3. Officials reported that the fire has seen “considerable growth” again today due to a wind event but assured that the community of Fort Providence is not at threat as swamps and other barriers are preventing the fire from spreading to the south.
The fire spotted on Saturday, located about 1 km west of Little Buffalo River, about 20 km northwest of Hwy 6 and about 36 km south of Fort Resolution (SS031-25) remains about 155 hectares in size.
“Crew and aircraft have made significant progress on this fire,” said NWT Fire today..
Wildland Fire crews reported that high winds persisted to move the fire into an old 2014 burn, depriving the current fire of additional fuel. This strengthened the ability of the air response to effectively suppress the fire.
Officials assured there is no threat to values, infrastructure, or communities in the area at this time.
NORTH SLAVE REGION
The fire (ZF048-25) spotted last week remains about 25 km southwest of Whati has decreased in activity.
Crews reported fire showed signs of slowing down again today and remains about 4,900 hectares in size.
“While the fire will be visible, it presents no short-term threat to Whati or any other known values in the area,” said NWT Fire today.
Crews reported on Saturday that the fire has spread primarily to the north and northwest.
The wildfire located about 3 km west of Hwy 3 (ZF015-25) continues to be active at over 125,000 hectares in size and has shown some growth again today.
Crews said that smoke and visibility issues remain an ongoing challenge for travellers.
The department of the Environment and Climate Change continued to work alongside Infrastructure crews today to ensure the highway remains safe.
“Crews are closely monitoring this fire and structure protection on cabins in the area is being deployed as needed,” said Wildland crews.
Officials advise travellers to check conditions on roadways using DriveNWT.ca
BEAUFORT DELTA AND THE SAHTU REGIONS
Officials reported that there were no fires of concern in these regions at the time of the NWT Fire update.
Wildland firefighters urged residents to be mindful of campfires and bans in place across the territories.
Crews caution not to leave campfires unattended, especially in current fire weather conditions, which could quickly become a wildfire.
NWT Fire advised the public to follow the golden rule of “Soak, Stir, Soak,” – “If you can’t hold your hand over it, it’s not out,” said crews. Officials ask the public to report new starts to the Wildfire Public Information Line (867-445-5484)
