As crews action wildfires across the territory, hot and dry conditions are anticipated to continue into early next week, with a chance of thunderstorms.
SAHTU
In the Sahtu region, crews actioned two fires near Normal Wells.
Crews actioned fire (VQ001), located about 33 km south-southwest of Norman Wells on the West side of the Mackenzie River. It is approximately 8,561 hectares in size.
NWT Fire reported that crews are making progress containing the lightning-caused fire (VQ002) located about 24 km southwest of Norman Wells on the West side of the Mackenzie River. The fire was last measured at 17,466 hectares in size.
DEHCHO
Two new fires were located in the Dehcbo region including a naturally caused fire (FS012) located 7.5 km north of Hwy 7 and 50 km south-southwest of Fort Simpson.
“The fire is currently 0.1 hectares in size and crews and aircraft have started the initial attack.”
Another new lightning-caused fire (FS013) was measured at 5 hectares in size and is located 34 km north of Nahanni Butte.
In the Dehcho, a lightning-caused fire (FS002) located about 90 km east of Wrigley, remained about 10 hectares in size. Wildland crews said the perimeter of the fire remained secure again today.
A naturally caused fire (FS007) remained about 60 hectares in size, located about 32 km southwest of Wrigley.
Another naturally caused fire (FS008) about 43 km northeast of Wrigley. The blaze was last estimated at 500 hectares in size.
Crews and tankers are responding to another wildfire (FS009) in the Marten Hills area.
Today, NWT Fire reported that it is currently 100 hectares in size as crews and tankers actioned the fire to prevent its spread.
Crews and tankers also responded to a fire (FS0010) about 45 km north to northeast of Nahanni Butte that measured at about 16 hectares.
SOUTH SLAVE
A new lightning-caused fire is being monitored that was spotted about 26 km west of Hwy 1 and 13 km north of the Alta. / N.W.T. border.
A lightning caused fire (SS005) located about 38 km west of Kakisa Lake and 17 km south of Highway 1 was last measured at about 38 hectares in size and is being held.
Fire officials advised travellers to be aware of the fire in the area if driving on Highway 1.
Wildland firefighters actioned a on fire (SS006) located about 3 hectares in size, 22 km east of Hwy 5, and 43 km southeast of Buffalo Junction. They reported the fire was being held.
WOOD BUFFALO
A fire (WB014) is located about 20 km north of Highway 5 and a smoke column may be visible from Fort Smith and along Highway 5.
The lightning- caused fire was last estimated to be about 60 hectares in size and is classified as out of control.
Another new fire (WB015), located about 10 km north of Highway 5 is about 0.2 hectares in size. The fire was contained on an island surrounded by water.
NORTH SLAVE
The fire at the west end of Grace Lake (ZF003) was last estimated at 0.2 hectares.
NWT Fire officials reported the person-caused fire near Cassidy Point (ZF004) remained 0.1 hectares in size.
The fire was determined to have been caused by the use of an ATV. Firefighters are cautioning the public about the use ATVs around hot and dry areas.
Officials advised users to monitor their vehicle as mud and organic matter can dry onto the muffler and potentially cause fire.
BEAUFORT DELTA
In the Beaufort Delta a 2.5 hectare blaze (EV-007) was located on Wednesday within the five cluster fire spotted earlier this week.
The cluster of five fires was located about 100 km east of Inuvik, believed to have been sparked by an area thunderstorm.
Another fire (EV006) about 240 km southeast of Fort McPherson, last measured at about 16 hectares.
The latest updates on wildfires in the territory are available on www.nwtfire.com
Environment Canada has issued a yellow heat warning for the Hay River, the Fort Resolution region, the Fort Liard Region, the Fort Providence Region, the Fort Simpson Region, the Thebacha region and the Wrigley Region
Daytime temperatures reaching up to 30 degrees Celsius are anticipated into the weekend for the Hay River and the Fort Resolution region.
In the other regions of the N.W.T. with heat warnings, daytime temperatures reaching 29 to 31 degrees Celsius near 14 degrees Celsius are expected into early next week.
The government agency issues Heat warnings when very high temperature or humidity conditions are expected to pose an elevated risk of heat illnesses, such as heat stroke or heat exhaustion.
