The territories continued to endure an extended wildfire season today, with fire activity and expansion concentrated within the North Slave, South Slave and Dehcho regions. ZF048 spread closer towards Whati overnight and is now estimated to be about 8.5 km from the community, who have been escalated to an Evacuation Alert.
Wildland crews warn “extreme fire behaviour” is active for fires SS014, located near Fort Providence, FS014 – towards the Mackenzie River in the Decho and ZF015,near Hwy 3 in the North Slave region.
Two new fires were spotted in the Sahtu and one in the South Slave region since yesterday, said officials.
“With this in-mind, those in Fort Simpson, Jean Marie River, Fort Providence, Behchoko, Whati, and travellers along Highway 3 should expect to see significant smoke and fire activity,” said NWT Fire.
Again today, an air quality advisory was in effect for the North Slave region including as mentioned Whati along with Wekweeti, Behchokǫ̀, the Hay River region including Enterprise, the Fort Providence region including Kakisa and Chan Lake.
A heat advisory was again in effect today for the Fort Liard region including Nahanni Butte and Sambaa K’e, the Fort Providence region including Kakisa and Chan Lake, the Thebaca region including Fort Smith and Salt River, the Fort Simpson region and Jean Marie River First Nation, the Fort Resolution area including Hwy 6, the Hay River region including Enterprise.
Crews warn a heatwave is likely head to the southern N.W.T. and the Sahtu regions over the next few days, with “hot and dry conditions” persisting across the territories.
NORTH SLAVE REGION
NWT Fire said ZF048 near Whati remains the territory’s “number one priority wildfire.”
Since yesterday the wildfire has expanded towards the community. From being about 15 km from Whati, the blaze reached within an 8.5 km distance southwest of the community’s border.
Today, the community of Whatì was escalated from an Evacuation Notice to an Evacuation Alert after persisting fire activity that caused the fire to expand.
“The fire saw 4 km of growth overnight under strong southerly winds. Winds continue to come from the south, but are lighter than yesterday. Visibility is extremely poor and we are hitting it with airtankers whenever safe,” said Wildland crews reported.
Structure protections are being put in place, with the work underway focused on neighborhoods at the edge of the community and critical infrastructure.
“The local fire department is actively engaged and is setting up a perimeter wetline at the community’s bypass road running to the lake. This is intended to provide additional water coverage,” said officials.
Crews said winds are forecasted to come from the North, potentially causing the fire to turn back on itself.
Wildfire ZF015 located about 3 km west of Hwy 3, includes ZF017, and has shown consistent fire activity, despite the ongoing efforts of crews since June.
Wildland teams and infrastructure crews said the fire continues to be most visible between KM 140-160 on Highway 3.
Crews cautioned travellers to expect to see increasing fire activity over the coming days. Firefighters carried on with efforts to protect cabins and other values on the landscape today.
Officials advise travellers to check conditions on roadways using DriveNWT.ca
Fire ZF024 near Hearne, Buckham, Watta Lakes continued to be monitored today. Officials assured that there are currently no threats to communities, cabins, infrastructure, or other values on the landscape.
Firefighters continued to action fire ZF052 about 32 km west of Behchoko and 10 km east of Hwy 9.
“Crews have blacklined this fire and are extinguishing all fuels at the fire’s edge to ensure the fire does not escape control,” said NWT Fire.
Earlier this week, crews reported progress made at the blaze’s edge, around the circumference of the fire using pump and hose.
The blaze does not pose a current threat to communities, cabins, or infrastructure, said NWT Fire.
SOUTH SLAVE REGION
Crews reported that the fire SS014, located about 24 km northwest of Fort Providence, may see increased activity, bringing it potentially up to Hwy 3.
Officials reported that this fire will likely continue to be visible from the highway.
“Strong winds may cause the fire to approach Highway 3 in the coming 72 hours. However, there are no threats to communities or cabins in the area. The community of Fort Providence is not at threat – there are swamps and other barriers to fire spreading to the south,” said NWT Fire.
Wildland crews continue to mobilize a response to fire SS031 located about 1 km west of the Little Buffalo River and about 20 km northwest of Hwy 6.
“Air tankers have strengthened the retardant line on the northern flank with helicopters bucketing the area. Crews worked diligently to ensure the fire stays within its current perimeter. Winds coming out of the south may blow smoke into the Fort Resolution area,’ said NWT Fire.
A new fire (SS033) was spotted nearby at the Little Buffalo River, caused by an abandoned campfire.
“It has been extinguished and poses to risk to Little Buffalo River infrastructure, or the community of Fort Resolution,” said officials.
DEHCHO
Crews continued to monitor persisting wildfires in the Fort Liard complex. The wildfire FS014 was last assessed at being located about 12.5 km northwest of Tthets’éhk’edélî (Jean Marie River) and about 22 km southeast of Fort Simpson.
Officials reported that the south flank of this wildfire has continued to hold well and levels of threat for Jean Marie River and Fort Simpson have not changed.
“Suppression activities are continuing the southern portions,” said NWT Fire.
Again today, “significant activity” was observed on the northeast corner of the fire, in the area closest to the Mackenzie River, with the wildfire growing towards the banks of the Mackenzie and has reached it in some areas.
“This activity is likely to continue under southerly winds in the coming days – which could cause additional growth to the east and north,” said crews.
Response teams carried on monitoring activity. Crews said they will take action if required.
Officials reported that there is currently no threat to communities, cabins, or infrastructure due to the wildfire at this time.
Wildland fire crews reported that some structure protection will continue at cabins in the area of FS009, east of Fort Liard as a precaution.
The fire showed “little activity” again today. Officials advised there is a chance of increasing fire activity due to the extreme fire weather conditions over the next few days.
“Structure protection continues to be maintained on cabins in the area. Structure protection equipment is being demobilized from the community of Fort Liard as threat has reduced enough,” said NWT Fire.
SAHTU
A new start was reported on the west side of the Mackenzie Valley. VQ034 is a lightning-caused fire and officials said it does not pose a threat to any structures or infrastructure.
About 4 km east of Tulita, a new fire (VQ033) was spotted. Crews were mobilized yesterday night and were back in action responding to the fire again today.
“The hot, dry weather is keeping it active. Crews will continue to work this fire until it is fully contained. It is suspected to be lightning caused. It is less than one hectare in size and is burning in a somewhat swampy terrain. It is smoldering at the moment but producing some smoke which is visible in Tulita at times. It is not expected to become an issue,” said firefighters.
BEAUFORT DELTA
NWT Fire said no fires of concern are burning in the region at this time.
Crews urged residents across the territories to be mindful of campfires and bans in place.
The town of Hay River announced yesterday that a full fire ban now in effect for Hay River. Fort Simpson has also announced a full fire ban.
Wildland teams urged the public not to leave campfires unattended, especially in current fire weather conditions, which could quickly become a wildfire. Officials advise the public to follow any active bans or partial bans in place.
NWT Fire reminded folks 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)
