There have been four new wildfires in the past day — all lightning caused — and NWT fire warns that dry conditions with the possibility of lightning are expected to persist across the NWT.
The latest count has 34 active fires, most of which are classified as out of control, but posing no immediate threat to people or property. Eighteen wildfires have been declared out so far this season.
Regional wildfire updates via NWT Fire:
BEAUFORT DELTA REGION
NEW FIRE – EV005 (13 kilometres west of Arctic Red River): This lightning-caused fire is estimated to be 13 hectares in size is classified as out of control and is being monitored. There is currently no risk to the community or values in the area.
NEW FIRE – EV006 (16 kilometres east of Highway 8, 16 kilometres west of North Caribou Lake): This lightning-caused fire is estimated to be one hectare in size is classified as out of control and crews are actioning it. There is currently no risk to the community or values in the area.
NEW FIRE – EV007 (14 kilometres east of Highway 8, 15 kilometres west of North Caribou Lake): This lightning-caused fire is estimated to be 1.5 hectare in size is classified as out of control and crews are actioning it. There is currently no risk to the community or values in the area.
EV002 (60 kilometres east of Inuvik, one kilometre east of Miner River): This lightning-caused fire is estimated to be 40 hectares in size and is classified as out of control and is being monitored. There is no risk to the community or values in the area.
SAHTU REGION
VQ007 (nine kilometres southwest of Fort Good Hope, five kilometres south of the Mackenzie River): This lightning-caused fire is estimated to be 1.5 hectares in size and out of control. Crews and aircraft have been dispatched to perform an initial attack to suppress its growth. Structure protection will be installed on any values in the area as needed.
DEHCHO REGION
Heavy smoke is expected in the region.
FS007 (18 kilometres northeast of Wrigley, one kilometres north of Hodgson Creek): The crews fighting this 1,010-hectare fire continue work on the valley floor aided by aircraft. Community protection efforts are ongoing, with sprinkler systems in place throughout town.
FS014 (23 kilometres southeast of Fort Simpson, 24 kilometres northwest of Jean-Marie River): This lightning-caused fire is estimated to be 800 hectares in size and is out of control. Air tankers and helicopters continue their attack to suppress the fire’s growth. There is no risk to the community, cabins, or infrastructure at this time.
NORTH SLAVE REGION
NEW FIRE – FS007 (eight kilometres southeast of the NICO Cobalt Mine, three kilometres east of Marian River): This lightning-caused fire is estimated to be two hectares in size is classified as out of control. Air tankers worked the fire Friday, June 27th and crews are enroute to action this fire further. There is currently no risk values in the area.
Researchers and wildland firefighters were recently at the International Burn Site, near Fort Providence. Wildfire professionals from around the continent and the world have been coming to the Fort Providence Wildfire Experimental Site since 1997. (Photo: NWT Fire)