There is a risk that a 200-hectare wildfire could impact Behchokǫ̀ in the Edzo neighbourhood within the next 12 to 48 hours based on weather conditions and fire activity.
The fire is 17 kilometres from the community one hour’s drive from Yellowknife and was caused by lightning on the west shores of Marian Lake near a location known locally as Marian Lake Village on Sunday.
Mike Westwick is a wildfire information officer with the GNWT.
“(It) received aggressive initial attack from the air and ground upon discovery,” he stated. “Extreme conditions led to the fire escaping initial attack.”
High winds from the north and west over the next two days are a significant concern in managing this wildfire, he stated in a release today.
Sustained winds of 20 to 30 km/h gusting between 35 and 50 km/h from the North, shifting west this afternoon which could push fire to the south and towards Marian Lake.
Residents need to be ready to leave at a moment’s notice, so it’s advisable to have some necessities and clothes packed.
It is very dry with relative humidity between 20 and 30 per cent.
Tomorrow, winds forecast from west 20 km/h sustained gusting up to 35 km/h.
Continued hot, dry conditions may support significant fire activity.
The greatest concern is continued North winds, followed up by winds from the west, or spot fires across parts of Marian Lake could cause threat to Behchokǫ̀ (Edzo). Spot fires across Frank Channel is a secondary concern.
Forest fuels are primarily spruce and pine old growth forests in this area – both supporting significant fire activity.
Multiple airtankers hit the fire hard with drops throughout the day and evening yesterday and began early this morning and a helicopter is making bucket drops on the fire to reduce its intensity in strategic locations to assist ground crews.
