Property owners on some parts of Watta, Campbell, and Hearne lakes about 70 kilometres outside of Yellowknife have been advised to leave soon, as intense wildfires forced crews back, says NWT Fire.
Fire ZF024 (four hectares) is near the south end of Campbell Lake, while fire ZF011 (300 hectares) is three kilometres east of Watta Lake.
“We plan to use sprinklers to mitigate potential losses as under the fire behaviour we’ve seen today, airtankers have been ineffective — again, why we needed to pull back and reassess our strategy,” stated NWT Fire spokesperson Shannon Graf in a Thursday night release.
“We understand this is an extremely stressful time for those who have values which could be at threat. We are using the tools in our arsenal to protect what matters to them.”
Crews had to be pulled back from direct attack on these fires because fire intensity reached a point where it was unsafe under these intense winds, stated Graf.
They have not been pulled back from response and NWT Fire’s objective — which is to protect the values which could be at threat over the coming days.
Our crews are out there working to protect structures which could be at threat in the coming days in priority order — based on those most likely to be impacted first.
Over recent days, officials assess some of these properties to prepare for this potential and to communicate with owners.
There were helicopters above central Yellowknife for a while on Thursday night after reports of smoke in the Tin Can Hill Area. More info to follow if there is a fire.
And in The Beaufort Delta, containing fire EV016 remains a “high priority,” as two wildfire crews are making good progress in containing its perimeter despite it challenging established containment lines, says NWT Fire.
Air tankers continue to make drops there since yesterday evening to cool the perimeter down to assist these efforts.
There are no threats to the community or other values at this time.
And with more lighting hitting the North Slave region yesterday, and the Dehcho today, rapid detection and response will continue to be NWT’s focus over the coming days to catch fires small and take the right actions quickly.”
Regional wildfire updates:
BEAUFORT DELTA REGION
EV019 (20 kilometres southwest of Fort McPherson): this fire is highly visible from the Dempster Highway. It remains 30 hectares in size and is challenging efforts due to the terrain. There are no threats to the community of Fort McPherson, highway access, or cabins in the area. Airtankers and two initial attack crews continue working to keep intensity down and contain it.
DEHCHO REGION
FS018 (18 kilometres northeast of Sambaa K’e): This new lightning caused fire was discovered the evening of July 1, and is approximately 40 hectares in size. There are cabins in the area crews are working to protect. Air tankers are making drops to reduce its intensity and limit growth to the south. There are no threats to the community of Sambaa K’e or infrastructure in the area at this time.
Liard Complex (FS002, FS006, FS009): This fire is being hit hard with air tankers and crews will continue working to contain the north and west flanks of fire FS009 to prevent growth towards the community of Fort Liard. No immediate threats to communities or infrastructure.
FS014 (23 kilometres southeast of Fort Simpson, 24 kilometres northwest of Jean-Marie River): The Incident Management Team and wildfire crews assigned to this fire continue make good progress. Nearly 40% of the perimeter has been contained by crews. Air support continues as required to assist them in their progress.
NORTH SLAVE REGION
ZF024 (near south end of Campbell Lake): Air tankers hit this fire hard July 2nd and two crews are now on site to further action it. The fire has escaped the initial attack area and is being reassessed. No immediate threats to communities, cabins, or infrastructure. Strong winds today will challenge suppression efforts. ECC is in touch with stakeholders to provide information and updates on the situation as per the update for fire 11 below
ZF011 (3 kilometres east of Watta Lake): This wildfire remains active and visible, growing to the southwest due to northeasterly winds. Objectives with this fire are to protect cabins, lodges, and other values in the area using sprinklers or small-scale ignition operations should they become threatened. However, with numerous barriers to fire growth, no values are assessed as at threat in the near future due to this fire. Assessments and consultations with owners in the area took place and plans are in place should this fire become a threat.
NOTE: This post was updated with new information Thursday night.