Community of Whati issues an Evacuation Notice

Whati officials have issued an Evacuation Notice due to the ZF048, last estimated by NWT Fire to be about 15 km away from the community. The blaze is currently the territory’s “number one priority wildfire” said Wildland crews.

Although there are barriers present preventing the fire’s spread including large bodies of water, officials reported they are concerned about the wildfire’s “future potential for growth.”

The North Slave, South Slave and Dehcho regions saw increased fire activity today due to unseasonably warm and dry conditions present across much of the N.W.T.

Officials also advised that due to forecasted winds, fire SS014 located about 24 km northwest of Fort Providence may approach Hwy 3 within 72 hours.

The town of Hay River announced that a full fire ban now in effect for Hay River. Fort Simpson has also announced a full fire ban.

NORTH SLAVE REGION

NWT Fire said ZF048 remains about 15 km from the community of Whati and is the territory’s “number one priority wildfire.” Community officials issued an Evacuation Notice, asking that community members be prepared to leave in case the fire gets closer. 

Crews said that due to westerly winds yesterday, this fire “grew significantly” to the east, but fortunately did not get closer to Whati.

Yesterday, successful airtanker missions reduced the fire’s intensity and today winds spurred its growth.

“Today, winds are primarily coming from the east, which is causing growth to the west. The fire is not likely to advance closer to Whati under these conditions. However, severe smoke has limited our ability to fly airtanker missions today due to visibility and safety,” said Wildland fire crews.

Officials forecasted that tomorrow will likely be an “extremely challenging” day.

“With winds coming from the south, we do expect meaningful growth to the north – closer to the community of Whati. Community members can expect to see significant smoke and potentially active fire in the distance,” said NWT Fire. 

Crews said that so far there is no immediate threat to the community of Whati, but that could change. 

Although there are barriers present preventing the fire’s spread including large bodies of water, officials reported that they are concerned about the wildfire’s future potential for growth.

In response to the concerns, NWT Fire outline the following actions they have set in motion: 

• mobilizing additional team members to manage this wildfire
• attacking the fire aggressively from the air whenever it is safe to do so
• exploring defensive ignition opportunities under the right conditions to head off its growth
• communicating with community leadership and making plans for structure protection plans within the community

Wildland crews added that fire weather conditions and very limited precipitation have contributed to the “extremely challenging” issues they experienced in managing the wildfire since organizing the initial attack.

“While we did respond quickly upon detection, it has not responded to suppression. For this reason are using primarily indirect action and air attack to manage this wildfire at this time,” said officials.

The wildfire located about 3 km west of Hwy 3 (ZF015) includes ZF017 and persists in fire activity.

Officials said the fire continues to be most visible between KM 140-160 on Highway 3. Crews cautioned travellers to expect to see increasing fire activity over the coming days. Wildland crews continued to work to protect cabins and other values on the landscape today.

Last week, officials reported the fire had grown to over 200,000 hectares in size.

Officials advised travellers to check conditions on roadways using DriveNWT.ca

An air advisory alert due to smoke from wildfires was in effect today for the North Slave region including Wekweeti, Whati and Behchokǫ̀.

A wildfire (ZF024) near Hearne, Buckham, Watta Lakes showed increased fire activity again today on the southeast flank again, at about 4 km west of Whiteman Lake. Crews continued to maintain fire protection on values to the east of the fire.

Officials assured that there are currently no threats to communities, cabins, infrastructure, or other values on the landscape.

A fire (ZF052) about 32 km west of Behchoko and 10 km east of Hwy 9, showed ongoing activity today but firefighters made further progress at the blaze’s edge.

“Crews have made it all the way around the fire and knocked down activity at its edge using pump and hose. Work will continue to blackline – extinguish all fuels at the fire’s edge – working their way in gradually from the perimeter to ensure the fire does not escape control,’ said NWT Fire. 

Currently the fire does not pose a threat to communities, cabins, or infrastructure, said officials. 

On Friday, three crews and helicopters made significant progress. Hoselay was established along much of the perimeter and crews used pumps, hose, and handtools to expose and suppress heat at its edge.

On Thursday, crews reported that airtankers and helicopters made drops to reduce fire intensity and support the progress of crews working the fire on the ground.

SOUTH SLAVE REGION

Crews reported that the fire (SS014) located about 24 km northwest of Fort Providence may see increased activity bringing it potentially up to Hwy 3.

“This fire will likely be visible from Highway 3 during the course of the burning day. Southerly to southwesterly winds may cause the fire to approach Highway 3 in the coming 72 hours,” said NWT Fire today.

Crews said swamps and other natural barriers will help prevent the spread of the fire to the south.

Officials advised that the community of Fort Providence is not at threat and also assured that values in the area are protected and there are no communities, cabins, or infrastructure at risk currently due to this wildfire.

A new wildfire (SS032) was spotted about 255km east of Fort Resolution and is about 125 hectares in size. Officials assured the fire remains a safe distance from values on the land and will continue to be monitored.

A heat alert was in effect today for the Fort Liard region including Nahanni Butte and Sambaa K’e, the Fort Simpson region and Jean Marie River First Nation.

Officials continued to monitor persisting wildfires in the Fort Liard complex.The wildfire (FS014) was last assessed at being located about 12.5 km northwest of Tthets’éhk’edélî (Jean Marie River) and about 22 km southeast of Fort Simpson.

Crews reported that the south flank of this wildfire continued to hold well and levels of threat for Jean Marie River and Fort Simpson have not changed.

>Officials reported that there is currently no threat to communities, cabins, or infrastructure due to the wildfire at this time.

Wildland fire crews reported “significant activity” on the northeast corner of the fire today, in the area closest to the Mackenzie River, with the wildfire growing towards the banks of the Mackenzie and has reached it in some areas.

This activity is likely to continue under westerly winds today and southerly winds tomorrow – which could cause additional growth to the east and north,” said NWT Fire.

“The team continues to monitor activity on the northeast and west flanks of the fire and will take action if required,” added officials.

Officials said that forecasted winds do not call for any significant growth towards the Liard River or the Fort Simpson ferry landing.

Wildland fire crews reported that some structure protection will continue at cabins in the area of FS009, east of Fort Liard as a precaution.

Firefighters reported the fire showed “little activity” again today. Officials said there is no immediate threat to Bovie Lake, but advised there is a risk of potential increasing activity due to the extreme fire weather conditions over the next few days.

“Structure protection continues to be maintained on cabins in the area. Structure protection equipment is being demobilized from the community of Fort Liard as threat has reduced enough,” said NWT Fire.

BEAUFORT DELTA AND THE SAHTU REGIONS

Officials reported that there were no fires of concern in these regions at the time of the NWT Fire update.

Crews cautioned not to leave campfires unattended, especially in current fire weather conditions, which could quickly become a wildfire. Officials urged the public to follow any active bans or partial bans in place.

NWT Fire advised the public to follow the golden rule of “Soak, Stir, Soak,” – “If you can’t hold your hand over it, it’s not out.”

Officials ask the public to report new starts to the Wildfire Public Information Line (867-445-5484)