In the Dehcho region, Wildland crews reported that while some areas remain problematic, direct attack methods on FS016, south of Liidlii Kue and Fort Simpson were effective on Tuesday. In Wrigley, response efforts were overwhelmed by conditions and poor visibility. In the South Slave region, a wildfire located about 20 km from Hay River has been 90 per cent contained following nearly two weeks of active response.
DEHCHO
There were areas of increased wildfire activity south of the village along Hwy 1 due to what crews described as a “moderately vigorous” surface fire that saw some trees “completely igniting.”
Firefighters have used aggressive methods to combat the fire.
“Direct attack methods from wildland firefighters, structural firefighters, and helicopters are currently effective but there continues to be actively threatened structures in residential areas that fire has previously impacted,” said officials.
Crews on the ground, backed by helicopters and airtankers, worked in residential areas near Wildrose east of Hwy 1.
Wildland crews said they anticipate the wildfire will continue to grow aggressively to the northwest along Hwy 1 away from town.
FS015 North of Wrigley has not grown closer to the community as of the latest report by NWT Fire on Tuesday evening. They said the wildfire has for the most part grown towards the north and west, driven by southerly and easterly winds.
On Tuesday, crews actioned the southern portion of the fire “strengthening the line” and actioning hot spots with bucketing support from helicopters, but faced extreme conditions.
“Wildfire crews and aircraft responded aggressively and immediately on initial attack. However, extreme fire weather conditions and poor visibility overwhelmed these efforts.”
Despite the challenges, crews managed to work the south end of the fire with bucketing support from helicopters.
Efforts to protect at risk area structures continued to be implemented.
“Structure protection continues to be deployed across the community’s edge and at at-risk critical infrastructure – with a priority on north end of the community and critical infrastructure.”
Wildland crews worked on mitigation strategies using heavy equipment to widen community fuel breaks for protection.
An ignition specialist is considering potential ignition operations that Wildland officials said could be used to remove vegetation in the fire’s path. This could help to head off growth using natural environmental features and breaks in forest fuels.
The communities of Wrigley, Liidlii Kue and Fort Simpson remain under evacuation orders.
Hundreds of community members have evacuated.
Last week, two shelter-in-place orders were activated when the wildfire impacted Hwy 1.
The Yellowknives Dene First Nation announced on Tuesday that evacuees from these communities, located in the Dehcho region, are welcome to stay at the Wıìlıìdeh Site. The GNWT has asked evacuees to register at the Yellowknife Multiplex on 41 Kam Lake Road or at the Fort Smith Centennial Arena on Rupert Avenue. Shelter, food, supports and services are being provided there on site.
The latest updates on the wildfire situation in the community can be found at NWT Fire, on the Liidlii Kue First Nation facebook site, the Fort Simpson facebook site
Community members are also being advised to register themselves and anyone evacuating with them, by heading to the GNWT’s evacuation registration webpages
SOUTH SLAVE
In the South Slave region, Wildland crews said that SS019, a wildfire last measured about 204 hectares in size, located about 20 km from the town of Hay River has been 90 per cent contained.
“Heavy equipment has seen great success on this fire, blacklining the eastern, western, and southern flanks of the fire’s perimeter, with support from airtankers and bucketing helicopters. Crews are working on containing the northern flank.”
Fire bans remain in effect throughout the North and South Slave regions as a drying trend continues with strong winds forecasted across the territory.
