Tthets’éhk’edélî (Jean Marie First Nation) and NWT Fire have issued an Evacuation Alert for the community. Officials upgraded the previous Evacuation Notice to an Evacuation Alert when the wildfire (FS014) located near Jean Marie River First Nation advanced an additional 4 km since yesterday.
Crews warn that over the next two days, the community is facing potential danger.
“While encroachment is not assessed to be imminent at this time, there is the potential for threat to the community over the next 48 hours,” said NWT Fire.
Officials reported that with the wildfire now sitting approximately 14 km to the northwest of Jean Marie River and “after vigorous growth under challenging winds,” it was decided the previous Evacuation Notice be upgraded. In the Dehcho region, fire crews reported increased activity yesterday and this afternoon the community of Tthets’éhk’edélî (Jean Marie First Nation) was upgraded to the Evacuation Alert.
Crews reported that visibility issues have created challenges in accessing this wildfire over the last three to five days.
NWT Fire reports that because of multi-year drought in the area, there is a lot of fuel available, creating deep burning and major wildfire suppression challenges.
Crews are responding to the incident using air support as well as support on land.
“Airtankers are making drops on the wildfire’s south flank to reduce the fire’s intensity and slow its growth,” said NWT Fire.
Helicopters were also deployed to make bucket drops to hit hotspots and reduce fire intensity.
“Wildfire crews are attacking the southern flank as they are safely able,” said NWT Fire.
Officials reported that a structure protection team is being mobilized to the community of Jean Marie River to setup sprinklers to protect structures within the community.
Crews caution that winds coming from the north could push the fire south, closer to the community of Jean Marie River.
Officials said that tomorrow winds are forecasted to change direction to south to southeast – “which would push the fire back on itself and provide an opportunity to get good work done.”
Jean Marie River First Nation officials urged the community to keep informed and prepared in case conditions change.
“This EVACUATION ALERT is a notification of the POTENTIAL danger which might arise due to a WILDFIRE FS14 in the area and the possibility of having to evacuate on short notice,” said community officials.
An alert may be followed by an Evacuation Order with specific information on the condition, when to evacuate and directions.
“Information on the evacuation location and travel information will be provided if an evacuation order is issued,” said community officials.
Community officials advised Jean Marie River community members to keep a full tank of gas in their vehicle at all times and to prepare personal belongings to be ready to leave on short notice, in case there is a need to evacuate.
Officials advised community members to check the community Facebook Page , to listen to the radio station 101.9 and to check community information boards for updates.
Updates are also available on GNWT’s Alert pages webpage and the GNWT Fire Map..
NWT Fire reported at 5 p.m. that the wildfire near the community (FS014) had not shown significant growth since the previous update.
“FS014 has not meaningfully grown closer towards the community of Jean Marie River since the last update at 1:30 p.m. Large airtankers and skimmers have been working the southern flank of the fire to slow its growth throughout the day – using retardant to slow forward progress, and water to reduce its intensity. The threat assessment from the 1:30 p.m update has held for now,” said officials.
𝗗𝗘𝗛𝗖𝗛𝗢 𝗥𝗘𝗚𝗜𝗢𝗡 (continued):
NWT Fire reported today that the string of fires (FS009, FS014, FS018) near Fort Liard (including fire FS014, near Jean Marie River First Nation) persisted with heightened activity today.
Yesterday, officials reported that fire FS014 had not received any significant rainfall and remained the priority fire in this complex. The fire was highly active on Friday with smoke columns visible from Fort Simpson to Jean Marie River.
An assessment yesterday showed the fire jumped containment lines to the southeast and grew roughly 6 km closer to Jean Marie River First Nation, driven by severe winds
This brought the fire to about 18 km northwest of the community at its closest point.
“Crews needed to be pulled back for safety yesterday,” said NWT Fire.
Officials had expected that with high levels of moisture in the air and cooler temperatures beginning yesterday, the intensity of the fire would be lessened. It turned out the cool, moist conditions were not enough to influence the severity of the wildfire.
Fire FS009, to the east of Fort Liard, is showing little activity thanks to 35 mm of recent rain on the fire. Crews said they do not expect it to show much activity in the next few days.
“Crews continue to maintain structure protection at Bovie Lake, along the Liard Highway, and on critical infrastructure within the community of Fort Liard,” said NWT Fire today.
The Incident Management Team is looking at opportunities for ignition operations to ensure long-term protections for the community of Fort Liard, said officials.
Officials also assured that there are no immediate threats to communities or infrastructure due to any of these fires at this time.
NWT Fire 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.
NORTH SLAVE REGION
Earlier this week, 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. Yesterday, the wildfire continued to show heightened activity due to high winds, but today crews reported fire activity has slowed down for the time being.
“While fire activity has quieted down for now, it is expected between Monday and Wednesday we will see significant activity on this wildfire. Crews continue work to maintain structure protection on cabins in the area. 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.
Officials urge travellers to check drivenwt.ca for information about road conditions and closures.
The wildfire near Campbell Lake, east of Hearne Lake and Watta Lake Lodge (F024-25) showed decreased activity.
“Fire activity has quieted down with cooler, wetter conditions in the area. Lodges at Hearne and Watta Lake are not at threat due to this wildfire. Crews continue to maintain sprinklers in the area proactively and are looking for any additional hotspots nearby structures to avoid flare-ups. 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
Another fire was reported Thursday, located about 3 km north of Rutledge Lake (SS019-25), which crews are responding to.
“Crews have successfully completed small scale ignitions to protect a lodge near Rutledge Lake. No further threats to communities, cabins, or infrastructure,” said NWT Fire.
A fire located about 27 km northwest of Fort Providence (SS014-25) is also receiving an active response.
Today and yesterday, crews continued to mobilize a response on the northwest areas of the fire to prevent growth towards cabins in the area.
Officials assured that there is no threat to the community of Fort Providence or to the 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 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.
 and NWT Fire have issued an Evacuation Alert for the community. Officials upgraded the previous Evacuation Notice to an Evacuation Alert when the wildfire (FS014) located near Jean Marie River First Nation advanced an additional 4 km since yesterday. ){kind=link}