Crews confronted aggressive activity for existing fires in the Dehcho, North and South Slave regions due to dry, windy conditions.
“No new fires since last update. However, the wind event yesterday caused challenges on some existing fires,” said NWT Fire today.
In the Dehcho region, the community of Tthets’éhk’edélî (Jean Marie First Nation) remains under an evacuation notice, but officials said wildfires do not currently pose a threat to the community.
NWT Fire has issued a smoke advisory for the North Slave, South Slave and Dehcho due to conditions forecast over the weekend.
“With winds gusting up to 40-45km/h coming from the north to northwest today, expect increasing levels of smoke throughout the burning day as fire behaviour picks up in areas which have not received rain,” said Fire crews.
NWT Fire advises travellers to check road conditions at www.drivenwt.ca
𝗗𝗘𝗛𝗖𝗛𝗢 𝗥𝗘𝗚𝗜𝗢𝗡
NWT Fire reported today that the string of fires (FS009, FS014, FS018) near Fort Liard showed heightened activity yesterday. Officials reported that fire FS014 has not received any significant rainfall and remains “the priority fire” in this complex.
“The fire was highly active yesterday, with smoke columns visible from Fort Simpson and Jean Marie River,” said NWT Fire.
“An assessment today determined the fire jumped containment lines to the southeast and grew roughly 6 km closer to Jean Marie River (First Nation) driven by severe northerly winds – putting the fire at roughly 18 km northwest of the community at its closest point. Crews needed to be pulled back for safety yesterday,” added NWT Fire.
Officials said the team will activate a continued response to this growth as “a priority” in the days ahead. Crews on air support will make drops to reduce fire intensity, and crews working with pump, hose, and handtools will work to contain the southeast flank to reduce further growth towards the community.
“Higher levels of moisture in the air and cooler temperatures today should lead to less intense burning conditions through the rest of the day,” said firefighters.
Fire FS009, to the east of Fort Liard, is showing little activity thanks to 35mm of recent rain on the fire. Crews said they do not expect it to show much activity in the next few days.
Crews are carrying on with maintaining structure protection at Bovie Lake, along the Liard Highway, and for critical infrastructure within the community of Fort Liard.
“The Incident Management Team continues to seek opportunities for ignition operations to ensure long-term protections for the community of Fort Liard,” said NWT Fire today.
Officials assured that there are no immediate threats to communities or infrastructure due to any of these fires at this time.
Officials assured there is no current threat to the community of Jean Marie River, despite windy conditions in the area, and said “more favourable” winds are forecast for tomorrow.
Today, windy conditions are currently present in the area.
“(W)ith continuing northwesterly winds today, Jean Marie River should expect significant smoke in the community over the next 24 hours,” said NWT Fire today.
Jean Marie River First Nation remains under an Evacuation Alert as listed on GNWT’s Alert pages. Community officials and NWT Fire downgraded an alert to an evacuation notice about two weeks ago, due to a fire located about 18 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.
Officials assured that there are no immediate threats to communities 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.
“This fire continues to show no activity after significant rainfall,” said NWT Fire.
NORTH SLAVE REGION
Yesterday, officials reported that the wildfire located about 3 km west of Hwy 3 (ZF015-25) had grown from 23,116 hectares in size to 31,046 hectares. Today the wildfire continued to show heightened activity due to high winds.
“This fire was highly active yesterday between Birch Lake and Mosquito Creek driven by strong winds, and is likely to remain active today. Smoke and visibility challenges are likely for travellers – drive with caution, follow directions from any staff in the area, and be aware that wildfire crews and water tenders are working to protect cabins along the highway – so be especially careful and considerate to keep our people safe,” said NWT Fire today.
Yesterday, crews focused on protecting values, including cabins, along Highway 3.
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.
The wildfire near Campbell Lake and east of Hearne Lake and Watta Lake Lodge (F024-25) has showed heightened activity yesterday.
“This fire was highly active yesterday, with smoke columns visible as far as Dettah and Yellowknife. The fire grew significantly to the south under northerly winds towards Great Slave Lake. This growth did not cause any new threats to structures in the area. Lodges at Hearne and Watta Lake are not at threat due to this wildfire. Regional staff and crews continue to maintain sprinklers in the area proactively. 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 REGION
The wildfire (S018-25) located about 6.5 km northwest of Hwy 6 and10 km northeast of Pine Point is considered Under Control.
“This fire is now Under Control thanks to the aggressive initial attack from air and ground crews, and contracted heavy equipment,” said NWT Fire today.
Another fire was reported Thursday, located about 3 km north of Rutledge Lake (SS019-25), is receiving continued response by crews.
“Crews have successfully setup sprinklers and completed small scale ignitions to protect a lodge near Rutledge Lake. No further threats to communities, cabins, or infrastructure,” said NWT Fire today.
A fire located about 27 km northwest of Fort Providence (SS014-25) is also receiving an active response.
“Crews continue work on the northwest flank to prevent growth towards cabins in the area. The community of Fort Providence is not at threat – there are swamps and other barriers to fire spread to the south,” said NWT Fire.
Officials assured that the fire poses no threats to communities or infrastructure at this time.
BEAUFORT DELTA and the SAHTU
Officials reported that there are no fires of concern in the Beaufort Delta 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 earlier this week 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.
