Wildfire prevention activities are taking place in southern regions of the territory this week. Crews are working on tree line remediation and wildfire prevention in Hay River, while Fort Smith saw a prescribed burn Wednesday. Today, territorial officials plan to announce a new wildfire prevention program.
Officials from Hay River said that they began conducting tree line remediation and other wildfire prevention on Wednesday. The Tri Service Park trail saw a planned closure between 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Crews are performing tree line remediation, fire prevention work and underbrush cleanup.
Hay River town officials advised the public to keep off the trail between 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. this week.
The Fort Smith Fire Department said they planned to conduct prescribed burns beginning this week and continuing over the next two to three weeks, if conditions allow.
The first prescribed burn was scheduled in the area of Marine Drive and Wolverine. They said the prescribed burns will help to reduce fuels that can cause wildfires to start and spread.
Crews advised to keep away from the area during the prescribed burn and also cautioned there could be smoke in the area near the prescribed burn.
Town officials said prescribed burns are a safe and effective tool for wildfire risk reduction. They said the prescribed burns will also be used for firefighter training.
Officials said that before prescribed burns take place, crews will be assessing multiple factors like weather and fire behaviour conditions.
The prescribed burns will also see detailed planning of control lines and containment areas
Today, Environment Minister Jay Macdonald and Municipal Affairs Minister Vince McKay will join NWT Fire Chiefs Association President Travis Wright and Wildfire Prevention and Mitigation Manager Mike Westwick for an announcement regarding a new wildfire management and community protection program.
The event is scheduled to take place at the Great Hall in the Legislative Assembly in Yellowknife, beginning at noon today.
