Structure protections are being put in place in Whati and crews are mobilizing an air response to fire 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.
“In response, we’re mobilizing a structure protection team there. The community government has also taken steps to begin setting up structure protection. So sprinklers and the like in the community and we’ll be attacking it aggressively from the air, whenever it’s safe to do so, “ said Mike Westwick, a fire information officer with NWT Fire.
An Evacuation Alert was issued as a precaution so that the community will be prepared in case an evacuation is needed.
According to the GNWT’s public safety guidelines, an Evacuation Notice advises that a wildfire could pose an increased risk to the community and could endanger life or property while an Evacuation Alert is a warning to prepare to leave on short notice.
Evacuation Orders are calls to leave as soon as possible following the directions of officials. Each community may also have their own guidelines and definitions.
Westwick explained that the fire has not been responding well to suppression efforts.
“Over the next couple days, we’ve got some pretty unfavourable winds coming from the south that are expected to push the fire closer to the community. We don’t expect it to reach the community under the conditions that we’re expecting to see, but there’s a need for some heightened alert in case something goes awry there. In response, we’re mobilizing a structure protection team there. The community government has also taken steps to begin setting up structure protection. So sprinklers and the like in the community and we’ll be attacking it aggressively from the air, whenever it’s safe to do so.”
Unfortunately, yesterday it was too smoky to complete air tank commissions on the wildfire, but crews are hoping that will change today, said Westwick.
Crews are also planning to set up protections for wildfire ZF015 located about 3 km west of Hwy 3. Last week, officials announced this fire had combined with ZF017. As, Westwick pointed out this wildfire has been persisting since June.
“We do expect it to flare up a good amount over the next couple of days under the weather that we’re expecting to see and the response that we’re taking on that fire is that we’ve been setting up sprinklers on cabins, as they become at threat on that Highway, that work’s been largely successful,” said Westwick.
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
“Travelling on the highway, folks should expect to see elevated smoke conditions, potentially some fire along the sides of the highway. We’re in consistent contact with our colleagues out at highways there to make sure they have the best information and they’re able to make good decisions to keep safe out there,” added Westwick.
Due to unseasonably warm conditions, much of the territories are experiencing an extended wildfire season.
Wildland crews warn “extreme fire behaviour” is active for fires SS014 (near Fort Providence), FS014 (towards the Mackenzie River in the Decho) and ZF015 (near Hwy 3 in the North Slave region).
“With this in-mind, those in Fort Simpson, Jean Marie River, Fort Providence, Behchoko, Whati, and travellers along Highway 3 should expect to see significant smoke and fire activity,” said NWT Fire.
Officials said there are no new threats to communities as a result of this wildfire activity as crews continue to activate a response to protect values on the landscape.
“Basically, the whole south of the territory from Behchokǫ̀ down to the 60th parallel. The next few days are going to be pretty challenging. A major heat wave is moving through. elevated winds and expected rising fire activity.”
A heat advisory was in effect today for the Fort Liard region, including Nahanni Butte and Sambaa K’e, the Fort Providence region, including Kakisa and Chan Lake, the Thebaca region, including Fort Smith and Salt River, the Fort Simpson region and Jean Marie River First Nation.
An air quality advisory due to smoke from wildfires was in effect today for the North Slave region, including Wekweeti, Whati and Behchokǫ̀, the Hay River region, including Enterprise, the Fort Providence region, including Kakisa and Chan Lake.
NORTH SLAVE REGION
NWT Fire said ZF048 near Whati is currently the territory’s “number one priority wildfire.”
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.
Crews reported the fire did not grow significantly yesterday, but today as winds, primarily from the south to southeast picked up, the blaze has seen some growth to the north.
“Airtankers have been actioning the fire – working to hold its northern progression – throughout the day as it has been safe.”
Although officials assess the fire, with significant barriers to spread, including large bodies of water, as not to be an immediate threat to the community, they remain concerned about the fire’s potential for growth.
“Drought conditions and very limited precipitation have made managing this wildfire extremely challenging since it received initial attack,” said crews.
“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,” added Wildland crews.
Wildfire ZF015 located about 3 km west of Hwy 3, 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 advise travellers to check conditions on roadways using DriveNWT.ca
Fire ZF024 near Hearne, Buckham, Watta Lakes showed increased fire activity again today on the southeast flank at about 4 km west of Whiteman Lake. The response team carried on with 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.
Firefighters continued to action fire ZF052 about 32 km west of Behchoko and 10 km east of Hwy 9.
Officials reported further progress made again today at the blaze’s edge, around the circumference of the fire 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 crews.
The blaze does not pose a current threat to communities, cabins, or infrastructure, said NWT Fire.
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.
Officials reported that this fire will likely continue to be visible from the highway.
“Southerly to southwesterly winds may cause the fire to approach Highway 3 in the coming 72 hours,” said NWT Fire.
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.
The wildfire SS032 spotted yesterday about 255 km east of Fort Resolution remains about 125 hectares in size. Officials assured the fire remains a safe distance from values on the land and will continue to be monitored.
DEHCHO
Crews 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.
Again today, “significant activity” was observed on the northeast corner of the fire, 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.
Officials forecasted that as westerly winds today and southerly winds, this could cause additional growth to the east and north.
“The team continues to monitor activity on the northeast and west flanks of the fire and will take action if required,” added officials.
Officials reported 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.
The fire showed “little activity” again today. Officials advised there is a chance of increasing fire activity due to the extreme fire weather conditions over the next few days, but even if the forecasted weather prevails, crews said there is no immediate threat to Bovie Lake.
“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.
This fire continues to show little activity, though there is the potential for increasing activity under extreme fire weather in the coming days. However, there are no immediate threats to values on Bovie Lake – even with forecast weather in-mind. 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.
BEAUFORT DELTA AND THE SAHTU REGIONS
NWT Fire said no fires of concern are burning in these regions at this time.
Crews urged residents across the territories to be mindful of campfires and bans in place.
The town of Hay River announced yesterday that a full fire ban now in effect for Hay River. Fort Simpson has also announced a full fire ban.
Wildland teams urged the public not to leave campfires unattended, especially in current fire weather conditions, which could quickly become a wildfire. Officials advise the public to follow any active bans or partial bans in place.
NWT Fire reminded folks to follow the golden rule of “Soak, Stir, Soak,” – “If you can’t hold your hand over it, it’s not out,” said crews.
Officials ask the public to report new starts to the Wildfire Public Information Line (867-445-5484)
