Flood and wildfire preparedness planning activities are beginning across the territory.
Hay River’s Local Emergency Management Organization is bringing emergency preparedness information resources, including a preparedness brochure mailed out this week to households.
They say updates will be made throughout available on their website over the spring breakup and wildfire seasons.
A public information meeting is scheduled to take place May 6 at 7 p.m. on the latest risk assessments and emergency preparedness information.
Environmental scientists with the territory’s department of Environment and Climate Change reported that flooding risks will depend on weather conditions.
Scientists reported that the potential and severity for what they call “freshet flooding” will depend mostly on how quickly the snow and ice melt.
Jason Currie, NWT’s manager of fire operations says with snow pack water equivalencies being “well above average” this season is helping delay wildfire season.
Currie explained that in the last few years, the territory has seen well below average snow melts or water equivalencies which had implications on the fire season.
Currie added that while extreme drought continues to plague the N.W.T. for an unprecedented fourth season, drought has lessened to some degree.
Currie said that with drought conditions, fire burns deeper into the ground and requires a lot more effort from crews.
For this reason, NWT Fire wildland firefighters monitor drought conditions.
Currie said crews will also be conducting infrared scans when the snowpacks melts to understand what is happening on the ground, especially in areas where there was heavy fire activity last season.
“We have had reports of over winter burning,” explained Currie. The reports include areas near Fort Providence, Whati, Fort Liard and Jean Marie River.
This type of activity plays a part with drought conditions, said Currie.
Mike Westwick with NWT Fire advised that folks take care while out and about.
“Be careful when use fire out on the land, be very careful, make sure your fires are out.”
Westwick urged that “small steps” make a big difference, especially simple actions like clearing combustibles from 10 meters of homes.
Anyone who would like more information about the Firesmart program can head to FireSmart NWT.
