No new starts were reported today, but NWT Fire issued a fire weather advisory, cautioning of “strong winds, warming and drying” in the Dehcho, North Slave and South Slave regions, increasing wildfire risk. Officials say “critical fire weather” conditions are expected in these areas which have not received recent rain.
NWT Fire warns that it’s certain portions of the Dehcho region that are experiencing dry, hot conditions along with strong winds.
“While much of the region has received rain, including Fort Liard and Wrigley, the central portion surrounding Fort Simpson and Jean Marie River has not,” said officials.
“Winds 20km/h sustained, gusting up to 45km/h, from the north to northwest and low relative humidity (levels of moisture in the air) could mean elevated fire activity on active fires, and dangerous conditions for suppression on any new starts,” warned fire crews.
Officials explained that similar conditions are expected in the North Slave region, especially between Behchokǫ̀ and Fort Providence.
“Expect poor visibility and smoke along Highway 3 – check www.drivenwt.ca for road conditions before you travel,” advised NWT Fire.
The South Slave region is also experiencing similar conditions, with slightly lighter winds, but “scorching” temperatures are forecasted. Officials warn these are “dangerous conditions” that can potentially cause new starts.
Officials urged the public to avoid using fire, unless absolutely necessary.
𝗗𝗘𝗛𝗖𝗛𝗢 𝗥𝗘𝗚𝗜𝗢𝗡
In the Dehcho region, the community of Tthets’éhk’edélî (Jean Marie First Nation) remains under an evacuation notice while a group of wildfires near Fort Liard persist despite ongoing active mobilization from firefighters.
Jean Marie River First Nation and NWT Fire downgraded an alert to an evacuation notice about two weeks ago, due to a fire located about 24 km northwest of Jean-Marie River and about 23 km southeast of Fort Simpson (FS014-25).
Jean Marie River First Nation officials urged the community to keep informed and prepared in case conditions change.
Updates can be found on the community Facebook Page.
Updates are also available on GNWT’s Public Safety webpage and the GNWT Fire Map.
Crews continue to respond to a string of wildfires (FS009, FS014, FS018) near Fort Liard. Officials continued to work to prevent its spread toward the community of Fort Liard.
Officials report that increased activity has been seen on FS014’s southeast flank.
“Five helicopters and 9 wildfire crews are working this fire to bolster containment lines ahead of tomorrow’s wind event,” said NWT Fire today.
Thanks to rain in Fort Liard, FS009 has shown little activity, said firefighters.
“Work continues on protecting values at risk on FS009 – with sprinklers being run and tested at Bovie Lake, and sprinklers having been setup proactively in Fort Liard on critical infrastructure to support long-term management on this wildfire,” said crews.
Officials assured that there are no immediate threats to communities, cabins, or infrastructure due to any of these fires at this time.
A wildfire located about 18 km northeast of Wrigley and 1 km north of Hodgson Creek (FS007-25) is exhibiting low activity thanks to rainfall in this particular area of the Dehcho.
NORTH SLAVE REGION
Crews reported that wildfire activity persists for the blaze located near Hwy 3. This wildfire located about 3 km west of Hwy 3 (ZF015-25) has grown from 23,116 hectares in size to 31,046 hectares.
“Wildfire crews continue to work with the objective of protecting values, including cabins, along Highway 3,” said NWT Fire today.
Officials cautioned travellers to expect elevated fire activity along Highway 3 over the coming days and advised to check road conditions on drivenwt.ca before travelling.
Earlier this week, fire crews patrolled the fire perimeter, extinguishing hot spots when it was safe to do so. Officials reported that they continue to see an increase in fire behaviour.
Officials report that crews persist to assess remote values like lodges and cabins for long-term management of the wildfire near Campbell Lake and east of Hearne Lake and Watta Lake Lodge (F024-25).
SOUTH SLAVE REGION
A fire spotted yesterday, located about 6.5 km northwest of Hwy 6 and 10 km northeast of Pine Point (SS018-25) remains under 2 hectares in size.
“After quick action on initial attack, this fire has held at 1.5 hectares. Four dozers are working to wrap the fire and contain it in place alongside a crew and helicopter. No threats to communities, cabins, or infrastructure in the area,” said NWT Fire today.
Another fire was reported today located about 3 km north of Rutledge Lake (SS019-25),
Today, crews reported that the fire remains about 15 hectares in size and out of control. Firefighters continued to monitor the fire and will continue to plan conducting ignition around Rutledge Lake Lodge for protections purposes.
A fire that was first reported about one week ago (SS013-25), 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 was recategorized as Under Control. Officials said that the fire does not pose any to cabins or infrastructure.
BEAUFORT DELTA REGION and The SAHTU
Yesterday NWT Fire cautioned of increased smoke in the Beaufort Delta region. Today officials were happy to report there were no fires of concern in the region or the Sahtu region, a testament to the brave work of firefighters despite the many challenging conditions they have faced in the last few weeks alone.
NWT Fire reported that crews are also heading to the Yukon to assist with fire activity there.
“The team is now lending a hand to Yukon Protective Services in protecting cabins near the Yukon/NWT border to bolster their response,” said officials.
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.
“Please stay vigilant, watch your campfires, never leave them unattended, and use the SOAK-STIR-SOAK method to ensure the fire is completely extinguished,” said NWT Fire.
Fort Simpson is among the communities with a full fire ban is in place. Hay River is among the communities with a partial fire ban in place.
