Liidlii Kue Chief Kele Antoine says that it may be about another week before the evacuation order can be lifted and community members can return.
The chief said that following about 30 millimetres of rain on Thursday, crews are continuing to action hotspots and active fire areas of FS016 including the Wildrose area.
“From what I’ve seen there are still a lot of hotspots burning and steaming through the area. For the most part I haven’t seen a lot of active fire close to the community itself, but there are still areas in and behind Wildrose where crews continue to work to work hard extinguishing hot spots and making sure they don’t flare up again and of course all of the Structural Protection hoses and sprinklers are still in place and providing protection.”
The priority area for firefighters remains the east side of Hwy 1 south of the townsite to the airport and upslope of the Snye near the townsite.
The chief said at this time the focus is still addressing priority fire response with essential services yet to be restored to the community.
Wildland officials have also advised that fire danger continues despite the rains on Thursday and Wednesday that “significantly” reduced fire activity.
With weather conditions forecasted to change again next week, the relief is anticipated to be temporary.
“While rain will lower fire behaviour for a couple days, it will not have a permanent long-term effect on the fire as warm and dry conditions are forecast to return next week,” said Wildland crews in a Thursday bulletin.
Response crews have been working on removing dangerous trees that are at risk of falling as well as repairing and replacing damaged power lines.
Crews advised that trees have been impacted, with a significant amount of danger trees present in the Wildrose and Gil Crescent area.
The chief added that Liidlii Kue First Nation is working with officials to help speed up the process of receiving evacuation assistance payments.
Liidlii Kue and Fort Simpson evacuees who have registered are being asked to provide information to process support funding.
Liidlii Kue and Fort Simpson evacuees are being asked to contact the Liidlii Kue justice department or talk to staff in person at the Multiplex on Kam Lake Road.
More information is available on the community social media sites.
The latest updates can be found on the Liidlii Kue First Nation facebook site, the Fort Simpson facebook site.
The latest wildfire updates are also being posted at NWT Fire
Community members who have not already registered are being advised to register themselves and who has evacuated with them, by heading to the GNWT’s evacuation registration webpages
Liidlii Kue and Fort Simpson as well as Wrigley remain under evacuation orders.
Hundreds of community members have evacuated.
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.
