The Dehcho, the North Slave and South Slave saw decreased fire activity today overall, with the exception of the fires near Fort Providence, Hwy 3 and Little Buffalo River, which showed some growth since yesterday. Although a community in the Dehcho region remains under an Evacuation Notice due to a wildfire located about 12.5 km away, officials assured that currently there is no danger. Crews also reported that there were no fires of concern in the Sahtu and the Beaufort Delta regions.
“Much of the territory has returned to more seasonable weather with cooler temperatures and scattered showers,” said NWT Fire.
Milder conditions, including rain, have helped to combat the wildfires, but crews reported that a wildfire located near Fort Providence showed “considerable growth” in the last 24 hours.
SOUTH SLAVE REGION
The fire (SS014-25) located about 24 km northwest of Fort Providence is over 18, 000 hectares in size. Officials reported today that the fire has seen considerable growth yesterday and today.
“This fire, measuring 18,429 hectares, may be visible from highway 3 at times. It has had considerable growth in the last 24 hours due to the wind event. The community of Fort Providence is not at threat – there are swamps and other barriers to fire spreading to the south,” said NWT Fire today.
One new fire was spotted yesterday, located about 1 km west of Little Buffalo River, about 20 km northwest of Hwy 6 and about 36 km south of Fort Resolution (SS031-25). The fire has grown from 2 hectares to 155 hectares.
“Crew and aircraft are responding to this lightning-caused fire, which is currently 155 hectares in size. Visibility has challenged aircraft and crew from attacking it aggressively. High winds pushed the fire into an old 2014 burn, providing the current fire with less fuel, enabling aircraft to suppress it effectively. At this time, there is no threat to values, infrastructure, or communities in the area,” said NWT Fire.
DEHCHO
Crews continued to monitor wildfires in the Fort Liard complex. 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.
Community officials and Wildland fire crews reported that smoke plumes will be visible from Fort Simpson and Jean Marie River and fire activity in areas of the fire are being monitored. Community officials and NWT Fire assured there is no threat to either community.
“The fire is considered held, with no current threat to JMR,” said Jean Marie River First Nation officials.
“The south end of the fire is now considered to be held, and crews continue to patrol that part of the fire looking for any remaining hotspots.,” said NWT Fire.
Tthets’éhk’edélî (Jean Marie River First Nation) remains on an Evacuation Notice.
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.
Officials also advised community members to keep informed and prepared in case conditions change.
Fire FS009, east of Fort Liard showed decreased activity.
Crews reported that the area around Fort Liard took in some heavy downpours this week, which has helped bring relief to fire efforts.
Structure protection will continue as a precaution. Officials said there remains no threat to communities or infrastructure at this time due to this fire.
NORTH SLAVE REGION
A lightning-caused fire (ZF048-25) that was spotted earlier this week and remains about 25 km “southwest of Whati has grown from about 1,000 hectares to nearly 5,000 hectares.
Crews reported yesterday that the fire has spread primarily to the north, northwest and remains approximately 25 km from the community of Whati. The wildfire remains about 4,900 hectares in size.
“While the fire will be visible, it presents no short-term threat to Whati or any other known values in the area,” said NWT Fire.
The wildfire located about 3 km west of Hwy 3 (ZF015-25) continues to be active at over 100,000 hectares in size and showed some growth again today.
“This fire, 126,575 hectares in size, has seen some growth to the east. Smoke and visibility challenges are likely for travellers. ECC is working with the Department of Infrastructure to ensure the highway remains safe. Crews are closely monitoring this fire and structure protection on cabins in the area is being deployed as needed,” 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) is being monitored by firefighters.
Crews are monitoring this fire, which remains about 14,403 hectares in size. Wildland firefighters said the blaze currently does not pose any threats to Blachford Lake Lodge or Hearne Lake Lodge and structure protection will be deployed as needed.
A new start (ZF050-25) about 0.1 hectares in size, was spotted about 9.2 km northeast of Yellowknife and 2.5 km north of the Yellowknife River Day Use Area, along the Ingraham Trail.
“Crews were quick to action this abandoned campfire, dropping six buckets from the helicopter to significantly reduce its growth. Wildland firefighters followed up on the ground with hand tools and soaked the fire to ensure it would not reignite,” said NWT Fire.
BEAUFORT DELTA AND THE SAHTU
Officials reported that there were no fires of concern in these regions at the time of the NWT Fire update.
Wildland firefighters urged residents to be mindful of campfires and bans in place across the territories.
