Crews reported that the wildfire near Fort Providence remains about 900 metres from the community at its closest point, with the line now contained and progress made on the main ignition line northeast of the community.
This afternoon, NWT Fire reported that a re-entry plan for community members is in the works, but it is not safe for them to return at this time.
“Our team’s making good progress on securing the remaining fire closest to the community. They’re working with heavy equipment, working from the east of the community and with crews to the west to tie off, further out for a line that’s further away from, directly by the community, basically, to prevent any additional opportunities for fire to make its way to the community, from either of those sides and support a safe return. That work has been successful. We’re not seeing any major challenges on our lines right now,” Mike Westwick, a fire information officer with NWT Fire, told True North FM.
“An evacuation order is still in effect for Fort Providence; however, community leaders are developing a re-entry plan,” said Wildland crews.
Firefighters are continuing to monitor and strengthen the south end of the fire closest to the community, with “good progress” made on the extinguishment of the main ignition line northeast of the community border.
The wildfire is currently over 100,000 hectares in size following a late-game ignition operation last week. Westwick confirmed the fire remains about 900 meters away from the community at its closest point, and has been held for the last few days.
“Last mapped at 110, 755 hectares. This increase is due to the successful ignition operation last week. There has been no significant growth otherwise,” said NWT Fire today in a wildfire update bulletin this afternoon.
Crews are also continuing to widen the firebreak on the east edge, using heavy equipment, which is being used to tightline operations.
NWT Fire teams are digging up fuel at the fire’s edge, up to about 30 feet on the wildfire’s perimeter west of the highway to prevent spread.
“Dozers are tight-lining the fire perimeter along Highway 3 up to 30 feet. There have been no losses of homes reported at this time,” said NWT Fire.
Water tankers and sprinklers remain installed at the edges of the community.
Crews reported that today’s weather conditions are currently unseasonably warm and dry and expected to continue throughout the day. Winds are light and moving northeast at about 5 km per hour and gusting up to 15 km per hour.
“The winds will continue into the evening, but shifting easterly,” said NWT Fire crews.
Tomorrow, unseasonably warm and dry weather is also anticipated. The area is expected to reach a high of 22 degrees, with southeasterly winds forecasted at 5-10 km per hour, gusting up to 20 km an hour.
