NWT Fire crews are cautioning of unstable weather expected across the territories in the coming days.
“Hot, dry, and unstable weather is expected across the NWT today and tomorrow, increasing the risk of wildfires, dry lightning, and severe storms—especially in the Sahtu and Beaufort Delta regions,” officials warned today.
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.
On Sunday, NWT Fire reported that Jean Marie River First Nation is no longer considered at risk, but crews are persisting in their response to the wildfire.
“Crews are still working to keep the fire from spreading. There is no threat to any nearby communities,” said NWT Fire today.
Yesterday, firefighters continued to work on containing the wildfire, with crews on the ground assisted by three helicopters, working to keep the fire from spreading.
The Evacuation Notice remains active on the community’s Facebook page today.
𝗗𝗘𝗛𝗖𝗛𝗢 𝗥𝗘𝗚𝗜𝗢𝗡
In the Dehcho region, crews carried on with a strategic response to several wildfires. Crews from the Yukon joined NWT Fire crews last week to contain a string of wildfires (FS002, FS006 and FS009) in the Liard Complex. They pushed forward to mobilize a response to the wildfire to prevent its spread toward Fort Liard.
Today and yesterday, five fire crews exerted a great amount of labour in response to this fire. Officials said there is no immediate danger to the community or other infrastructure.
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.
Firefighters persisted in their response to another fire located about 19 km northeast of Sambaa K’e (FS018).
Today, the fire continued being held as crews work to call it under control. Sunday, officials organized a response via land, air and water.
“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 on Sunday.
Crews resumed their response 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 has kept held at about 1 hectare in size since Saturday.
“Crews will continue to scan the perimeter. There is no threat to the community,” said NWT Fire today.
A fire located about 18km northeast of Wrigley (FS007) is active.
“There is some fire activity again today on the southeast corner. Smoke is causing poor visibility in the Fort Simpson area, but once it clears, crews will be scanning the fire. There is no threat to the community,” said NWT Fire today.
NORTH SLAVE REGION
In the North Slave region, a wildfire located near Hwy 3 showed increased fire activity today. The wildfire near Campbell Lake remains about 14,794 hectares in size. Crews are also monitoring another fire near the Ingram Trail.
“Crews are keeping a close eye on the area for any risks to nearby lodges or cabins,” said NWT today.
The fire is on the south side of the lake and borders one cabin.
Sunday, crews focused 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 wildfire located about 3 km west of Hwy 3 (ZF015-25)was about 19,831 hectares in size at the latest measurement.
“There was a lot of fire activity in this area. Fire crews are working to protect cabins and property along the highway. They are also putting out hot spots and closely watching the fire,” said NWT Fire today.
Another fire, located about 84 km north of the Ingram Trail is about 362 hectares in size. Firefighters are keeping an eye on this blaze. The situation does not pose any immediate threat to communities or structures, said officials.
BEAUFORT DELTA REGION
In the Beaufort Delta region, firefighters were able to prevent the spread of a number of stubborn wildfires.
The wildfire (EV021-25) located about 15 km southwest of Fort McPherson, persists at about 2,475 hectares in size.
“Fire crews are working on the southwest and southeast sides of the fire. There is no threat to the community,” said NWT Fire today.
Yesterday, officials reported that the fire was getting hotter and helicopters and crews were mobilizing a response.
Last week, the fire had doubled in size from 1240 hectares.
Sunday, 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 resumed 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.
Officials carried on with an active response to a fire located about 33 km east of Inuvik (EV017-25).
“The wildfire is about 6,055 hectares in size. There was a flare-up in the southwest corner and crews were able to put it out last night,” said NWT Fire today.
Yesterday saw more activity in the blaze’s southwest corner. Crews on site worked the southwest area in response.
Sunday, 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 persists at about 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 remains about 1,598 hectares in size and continues to be 95 per cent contained.
“Crews will continue to work to call the fire under control,” said NWT Fire yesterday. 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.
SAHTU
In the Sahtu region, one new lightning-caused wildfire was spotted near Colville Lake.
“This lightning-caused fire is approximately 487 hectares in size and is currently being monitored. There is no threat to the community at this time,” said NWT Fire today.
Two lightning-caused fires were spotted yesterday, also located near Colville Lake. One, about 38 km southwest of the town (VQ023) and another is located about 128 km northeast of the town (VQ024). Both fires were monitored again today and are not considered a threat to the community at this time.
Yesterday, two fires were spotted near Fort Good Hope, about 107 km southeast of the town (VQ020) and another about 104 km northwest (VQ022). Bother fires were monitored again today. Officials said they pose no threat to the community at this time.
Another new lightning caused was spotted yesterday, located about 7.2 km southeast of Tulita on Four Mile Island. The fire continued to be monitored today and is not considered a threat to communities at this time.
The town of Hay River re-implemented a full fire ban yesterday, 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 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!” cautioned Firefighters.
