Hot, dry and windy conditions continue to work against efforts to stomp out two naturally caused wildfires south of Fort Resolution.
NWT Fire spokesperson Tom Bentham stated today that after, “an evening of increased fire activity, both fires have grown considerably.”
Firefighters get gear ready to head out to fight fires south of Fort Resolution. (Photo courtesy of NWT Fire)
“Today’s objective is to decrease fire intensity with aggressive water and fire-retardant drops from multiple aircraft dedicated to this fire,” he stated in a release.
A precautionary evacuation has already been ordered for Little Buffalo River and now the Hamlet of Fort Resolution is asking all of its just over 400 residents to fill out an evacuation registration form.
Fire SS040, now 45 hectares — up from 13 yesterday — remains at 22 kilometres from Fort Resolution.
With the two naturally caused blazes – including SS042, now four hectares, up from just .1 hectares yesterday — being so close to camps and cabins in the area, the Hamlet’s Administrator recommended everyone in the Little Buffalo River area evacuate as a precaution.
NWT Fire has stated that the out-of-control fires pose a risk to cabins, camps and infrastructure in the Little Buffalo River area.
Aircraft from Yellowknife, Fort Smith and Hay River have been dispatched to perform fire suppression action, focusing on the northern line of the fire.
Air support will continue to keep fire intensity low to assist ground crews as they action the fire with hoses and hand tools.
More resources have been called in, including a full Incident Management Team is being deployed and will be fully operational on Thursday.
Fort Resolution registration form. (Image courtesy Hamlet of Fort Resolution)
