A helicopter crew conducting regular surveillance flights witnessed a lightning strike start the NWT’s newest wildfire, something NWT Fire says is “very rare.”
The fire is 0.5 hectares in size and located 34 kilometres southwest of Enterprise and seven kilometres west of Highway 1. Ground crews were dispatched and are working to extinguish it.
Extremely dry conditions continue, with expected rainfall and lightning in the North Slave and South Slave regions this week.
“Fire danger remains high and fires can still easily start, spread quickly, and become extremely difficult to control,” stated NWT Fire in a release this afternoon.
“Please do everything you can to avoid putting needless human-caused fires on the land and keep communities safe,” stated a spokesperson.
The NWT/AB border fire is still considered out of control. The proactive sprinkler systems crews set up continue to protect property along the highway. Water tankers are on site completing operations on the NWT side. Highway 1 is currently open with traffic control on site. The road could close with little to no notice. Expect heavy smoke in the area.
There is no new growth on this fire located southwest of Fort Liard. Significant progress on this fire has been made. Crews and aircraft continue to work to bring it under control.
The blaze located 40 kilometres south of Fort Simpson near Check Point on Highway 1 at the Liard junction is considered under control.
In the Beaufort Delta, fire crews in Inuvik will be burning debris piles between the parking spots in the center of the Jak Park Campground. This operation is scheduled for this afternoon. NWT Fire asks that residents keep their distance and expect smoke in the area.
Northwest Territories wildfire update:
Total active fires: 13
New fires in the last 24 hours: 0
Fires receiving response: 13
Fires declared out: 11
Total fires this year: 24
Hectares affected: 17,350 Ha
