Hundreds of crew members co-ordinated aggressive responses to fires in the Dehcho region and along Hwy 1.
On Wednesday cooler temperatures and rainfall reinforced long awaited progress by Wildland firefighters.
DEHCHO
FS016 remains adjacent to Liidlii Kue and Fort Simpson, and covers an area over 36,380 hectares according to the latest report by Wildland officials Wednesday evening.
Rain reinforced the effectiveness of direct attack methods for crews on land and in the air. Rainfall in the morning brought some relief and support to the fire response with scattered showers bringing about 2.5 millimetres of precipitation along with cooler temperatures.
“Progress is being made on extinguishment of wildfire 50 feet out from each structure as well as 50 feet into forested areas where wildfire is burning,” said Wildland officials.
While rain is anticipated to decrease fire behaviour for the next “couple” of days, it is not expected to bring long term relief. Warm and dry conditions are forecasted to return next week, warned officials.
Crews reported firefighters focussed their efforts along the east side of Hwy 1 south of the townsite to the airport.
On Wednesday, Wildland Urban Interface crews and wildland firefighters worked in residential areas near Wildrose to extinguish an active wildfire east of Hwy 1. Helicopters and airtankers supported ground crews.
Trees are being removed south along Hwy 1 to limit impacts to the power line.
Aviation and ground crews continued suppression efforts on the eastern flank upslope of the Snye.
More than 200 crew members are activating an aggressive response to the wildfire including an Incident Management Team of about 20 personnel, 138 Wildland firefighters and 62 structure protection personnel, supported by airtankers and skimmers, nine helicopters and various pieces of heavy equipment, structure protection vehicles and transport vehicles
FS015’s growth continued to travel north and west driven by southerly and easterly winds. The wildfire did not grow closer to the community and was last measured at about 15,588 hectares, as of the latest report by Wildland officials on Wednesday evening.
Crews actioned the southern portion of the fire, strengthening the line and actioning hot spots with bucketing support from helicopters.
An Incident Management Team has been co-ordinating the response effort that included the use of air supports when available.
“Aircraft are being assigned to the incident as they are available and when the area can be accessed.”
Crews also focussed on the south end of the fire with bucketing support from helicopters, said Wildland officials.
Heavy equipment was mobilized to “widen the fire break” within closer proximity to the community.
Fire weather conditions and poor visibility continued to impede response efforts on Wednesday.
Crews worked to mitigate risks by using structure protections
“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.”
Heavy equipment was used to widen community fuel breaks.
An ignition specialist also assessed more the potential for ignition operations that would help remove vegetation in the fire’s path.
Testing took place on Tuesday to assess the receptivity of the fuels.
Perimeter suppression strategies were also reassessed.
Wrigley, Liidlii Kue and Fort Simpson
Wrigley, Liidlii Kue and Fort Simpson remain under evacuation orders.
Hundreds of community members have evacuated since late June.
Since that time 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
FS014, located about 5 km west of Hwy 1 near kilometre marker 422 was last measured at 3,146 hectares in size. The wildfire is being monitored and crews warn its smoke could create visibility challenges.
Another wildfire on Hwy 1 FS022, located about 3 km south of the highway at kilometre marker 402 is about 57 hectares in size.
Wildland officials reported that crews have deployed structure protection on cabins north of the fire and have been monitoring the blaze.
Travellers are being advised to head to drivenwt.ca
SOUTH SLAVE
SS019, located about 20 km west of the town of Hay River was last measured at about 2,027 hectares. Crews backed by air support and heavy machinery have contained the majority of the fire.
“Crews and aircraft have contained 80% of the fire. 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.”
Conditions are forecasted to improve across most of the territory within the coming days.
Wildland officials said fire restrictions have been lifted for the North Slave and South Slave regions, but restrictions remain in place in some communities and in territorial parks.
