The fire (FS002) located 19 kilometers southwest of Fort Liard has grown from 352 hectares to 639 hectares. It has nearly doubled in size since yesterday.
N.W.T. Fire warns that higher winds this afternoon may intensify the fire west of the Liard River, potentially spreading northward and posing challenges to containment efforts on the island and the eastern shore of the river.
“Fire activity is picking up meaningfully on the west side of the Liard River, with smoke potentially becoming visible in the community,” stated N.W.T. Fire on Monday.
Helicopters currently are bucketing hotspots on the island to prevent fire from crossing to the east shore. Bucketing was also done on the southwest corner of the fire to prevent its growth toward Fort Liard.
The South Slave region is under a fire ban effectively until May 17, with the possibility of an extension. Open flames of any kind are prohibited in Fort Providence, Kakisa, Fort Smith, Hay River, K’átł’odeeche First Nation, Salt River First Nation, and Fort Resolution.
This map indicates the extent of the area the fire ban applies to, all territorial parks are included. (Photo courtesy of N.W.T Fire)
Closed stoves, barbeques, furnaces or other devices safe for containing fire may be used. The use of fire for exercising Aboriginal or treaty rights by Indigenous peoples is exempt from the fire ban.
Residents should expect a fire update later this evening, after peak burning hours.
