The North Slave region saw increased fire activity again today, including near Hwy 3, where a wildfire has grown closer towards the south of the highway. In the Dehcho, Jean Marie River First Nation remains on an evacuation notice, but firefighters have managed to contain about 40 per cent of the south end of the fire, located about 12.5 km from the community.
No new starts spotted since yesterday, but NWT Fire crews say heavy winds could pose increased risk of fire.
“Stronger winds are picking up across the NWT, causing increased fire activities in some areas,” said crews.
DEHCHO
Tthets’éhk’edélî (Jean Marie River First Nation) remains on an Evacuation Notice.
Officials also advised community members to keep informed and prepared in case conditions change due to a wildfire that was last assessed to be located about 12.5 km from the community.
The wildfires of the Fort Liard complex continue to be carefully monitored and actioned by crews.
The wildfire (FS014-25) was last assessed at being located about 12.5 km northwest of Jean Marie River and about 22 km southeast of Fort Simpson.
“Crews and air support are doing great work on containing this fire and have managed to contain about 40 per cent of it on the southeast end of the fire. An IMT is in place to manage this fire. There has been no meaningful movement to Jean Marie River,” said NWT Fire.
Officials assured Fort Simpson is not considered at threat by this fire.
Jean Marie River First Nation officials advised community members to check the community Facebook Page for updates.
Updates are also available on GNWT’s Alert pages webpage and the GNWT Fire Map.
Crews continued to monitor fire FS009, east of Fort Liard with protections also being maintained at Bovie Lake to protect cabins in the area and on critical infrastructure.
Officials said currently, there is no threat to communities or infrastructure due to these wildfires.
NORTH SLAVE
The wildfire located about 3 km west of Hwy 3 (ZF015-25) showed increased activity again today.
Crews reported this fire is demonstrating increased activity and has moved closer to the highway towards the south.
“Smoke and visibility challenges are likely for travellers. ECC is working with the Department of Infrastructure to ensure the highway remains safe,” said NWT Fire.
Officials advise travellers to check conditions on roadways using DriveNWT.ca
A wildfire near Campbell Lake and east of Hearne Lake and Watta Lake Lodge (F024-25) has also shown increased activity again today. Today and yesterday, smoke was visible in the area. Firefighters are continuing to monitor the fire. Officials said that currently there are no short term concerns of it spreading to Blachford Lake Lodge.
Earlier this week, a fire (ZF039-25) located about 2.5 km east of Rae Lake’s north end grew from 500 hectares to about 2400 hectares in size.
“The fire is currently burning to the northeast due to south westerly winds. Smoke may be visible,” said NWT Fire.
Last weekend crews were in Gamètì working on the planned ignition.
Anyone who would like information on where smoke is coming from can to head to firesmoke.ca
A lightning-caused fire (ZF048-25) was spotted yesterday approximately 27 km southwest of Whati. The fire is about 15 hectares in size and crews are currently working to contain it.
“This lightning-caused fire is now about 200 hectares in size. Crews and tankers have done a great job in containing the northeast and northwest flanks of the fire, preventing it from burning further out in those directions. There has been no significant movement to the community of Whati and the risk to Whati is very low,” said NWT Fire.
SOUTH SLAVE
The fire (SS014-25) located about 24 km northwest of Fort Providence continues to be monitored for fire activity.
Crews continued mopping up the area and ensured structure protection sprinklers were functioning.
Officials assured that the community of Fort Providence is not under threat. Swamps and other barriers in the nearby area are helping to prevent the fire spread to the south.
Another wildfire about 50 km east of Fort Resolution (SS027-25) was last measured at less than 1 hectare in size.
Officials reported that the fire continued to be held today and is not currently a threat to communities, infrastructure, or cabins.
The SAHTU
Earlier this week, two new lightning caused fires were spotted in the Sahtu region near Colville Lake. One fire is located about 133 km northwest of Colville Lake (VQ031-25).
“This lightning caused fire was assessed at 60 hectares in size and is being monitored. There is currently no threat to communities, infrastructure, or cabins,” said NWT Fire.
The second fire was located about 132 km west northwest of Colville Lake (VQ033-25).
“This lightning caused fire was assessed at 20 hectares in size and is being monitored. There is currently no threat to communities, infrastructure, or cabins,” said NWT Fire.
BEAUFORT DELTA
NWT Fire reported today that currently there are no fires of concern in this region.
Officials urged residents to be mindful of campfires and bans in place.
Fort Simpson is among the communities with a full fire ban in place. Hay River is among the communities with a partial fire ban in place.
Crews caution not to leave campfires unattended, especially in current fire weather conditions, which could quickly become a wildfire.
Firefighters are advising to keep close eye on fires and observe golden rule of “Soak, Stir, Soak,” – “If you can’t hold your hand over it, it’s not out,” said NWT Fire.
