Aggressive fire weather grips N.W.T. felt intensely in south and Dehcho

Wildland crews made progress maintaining and even pushing the fireline back in key hot spots as an unexpectedly extended wildfire season more than lingers. “Aggressive fire weather” has gripped the territories.

Increased fire activity persisted in the North Slave, South Slave and Dehcho regions. ZF048 is currently about 7 km from Whati’s airport and the community is preparing in case an evacuation is needed. Today saw smoke conditions clear, but heavy smoke is expected tomorrow.

“Extreme fire behaviour” persisted today for fires SS014, located near Fort Providence, FS014 towards the Mackenzie River in the Decho and ZF015, near Hwy 3 in the North Slave region.

Two new fires were spotted in the Sahtu and one in the South Slave region since yesterday, said officials.

“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.

Again today, an air quality advisory was in effect for the Fort Providence region, including Kakisa and Chan Lake, the Fort Resolution area, including Hwy 6, the Hay River region, including Enterprise.

A heat advisory was again in effect today for the Fort Resolution area, including Hwy 6, the Hay River region, including Enterprise, the Fort Liard region, including Nahanni Butte and Sambaa K’e, the Fort Providence region, including Kakisa and Chan Lake, the Thebaca regio,n including Fort Smith and Salt River, the Fort Simpson region and Jean Marie River First Nation

NORTH SLAVE REGION

NWT Fire said ZF048 near Whati remains the territory’s “number one priority wildfire.” On Tuesday night, the wildfire expanded by over 7 km towards the community. From being about 15 km from Whati, the blaze reached within about an 8 km distance southwest of the community’s border and about 7 km south of the Whati Airport.

The community remains on an Evacuation Alert.

Thanks to clear skies today, teams were able to mobilize an aggressive attack over air.

“Crews are hitting the fire with airtankers and direct attack from the air will continue as there are safe flying conditions,” said NWT Fire today.

At about noon, Mike Westwick, with NWT Fire, told True North the fire had not moved closer to the community.

Protections are in place and are continuing to be established in key areas.

“Crews have made significant progress in establishing structure protection within the community. That is continuing today, while crews also work on running a control line from the air strip to the river,” said officials.

Wildland crews said they are prepared for intense conditions, which could worsen.

“Today, winds are coming from the North, which could turn the fire back on itself. However, crews continue to expect challenging conditions through to Saturday evening, before conditions are expected to improve.”

Wildfire ZF015 located about 3 km west of Hwy 3, includes ZF017, and has shown consistent fire activity, despite the ongoing efforts of crews since June.

Wildland teams and infrastructure crews said the fire continues to be most visible between KM 140-160 on Highway 3.

Westwick cautioned travellers to expect to see increasing fire activity over the coming days, with fire coming close or right up to the roadway in some areas. Firefighters’ efforts to protect cabins and other values on the landscape have been effective, he said.

Westwick cautioned travellers to drive carefully and to check current conditions on roadways using DriveNWT.ca

Officials are asking that travellers not stop along the highway.

Fire ZF024 near Hearne, Buckham, Watta Lakes continued to be monitored today, with structure protections maintained on values near the fire. Officials assured that there are currently no threats to communities, cabins, infrastructure, or other values on the landscape.

There are currently no threats to communities, cabins, infrastructure, or other values on the landscape.
Today, crews declared the fire ZF052 out. The blaze had been located about 32 km west of Behchoko and 10 km east of Hwy 9.

Yesterday, firefighters blacklined it, extinguishing all fuels at the fire’s edge.

SOUTH SLAVE REGION

Wildland teams advised that the fire SS014, located about 24 km northwest of Fort Providence, may see increased activity, bringing it potentially up to Hwy 3.

NWT Fire cautioned that this fire will likely continue to be visible from the highway.

“Strong winds may cause the fire to approach Highway 3 over the long weekend. ECC is working closely with Infrastructure to monitor the highway and ensure public safety. The community of Fort Providence is not at threat – there are swamps and other barriers to fire spreading to the south.”

Firefighters made progress in combating fire SS031 located about 32 km south of Fort Resolution.

“Due to the effective action of fire line personnel, the north flank of this fire is holding. Helicopters are bucketing the area, and crews are working steadfast to ensure the fire stays within its current perimeter,” said NWT Fire.

Yesterday, air tankers strengthened the retardant line on the northern flank with helicopters bucketing the area.

A new start was spotted near Fort Resolution today (SS034). Crews reported that the blaze started as a structural fire but then escaped into the trees behind the structure. Wildland firefighters activated an immediate response and this fire has been declared out.

DEHCHO

NWT Fire continue 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 continued their response on the fire. The south flank of this wildfire has continued to hold well and levels of threat for Jean Marie River and Fort Simpson have not changed.

“Suppression activities are continuing in the southern portions,” said NWT Fire.
Again today, fire 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.

Crews faced significant activity on the northeast corner of this fire, near the Mackenzie River.
“This activity is likely to continue under southerly winds in the coming days – which could cause additional growth to the east and north,” said officials.

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

Officials 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 but crews caution that there remains a chance of increasing fire 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.

SAHTU

About 4 km east of Tulita, a new fire (VQ033) was recently spotted. Crews were mobilized Tuesday night and were back in action responding to the fire Wednesday and today, trying to contain the blaze fed by hot, dry conditions.

“Crews will continue to work this fire until it is fully contained. It is suspected to be lightning caused. It is less than one hectare in size and is burning in a somewhat swampy terrain. It is smoldering at the moment but producing some smoke which is visible in Tulita at times. It is not expected to become an issue,” said NWT Fire.

BEAUFORT DELTA

NWT Fire said no fires of concern are burning in the region 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)