Firefighters keep blaze 900 metres from Fort Providence’s boundary

“Let’s do a prayer for the men and volunteers who are staying in Whatı̀ to prevent the fire from getting into town. Dear Lord Jesus, Bless the dads, papas, brothers, and our partners that stayed behind to prevent the fire from getting into town. Please protect them and keep them out of harm’s way. You said that if we ask, we shall receive. Right now, we are asking you to bring nothing but hard pouring RAIN on those fires and to keep our homes and community safe. In Jesus’s name, AMEN.”

 – Lisa Wetrade, via social media

The wildfire threatening Fort Providence remains 900 metres at the community’s southeastern edge, says NWT Fire.

Fire SS014 is within two kilometres of the fuel break spanning the northern edge of Fort Providence across the rest of the fire front.

There have been no losses of homes reported at this time, stated Dana Bowen, wildfire information officer in a release.

This as Fire ZF048 has been stalled in its tracks no closer than seven kilometres from Whatı̀ by proactive fire crews.

Back in the Dehcho Region, Fire SS014 did not reach Fort Providence overnight, but creeped 100 metres closer, prompting this order very early Monday morning from GNWT’s Public Safety:

Fort Providence – Evacuation Order – September 01, 2025 00:15 … Evacuation Order – Urgent – The community must be evacuated immediately. Fort Providence residents and emergency/essential personnel must evacuate now. The area has an immediate threat due to a wildfire and is not safe. Everyone must leave now. Head to the reception centre in Hay River for further instruction.

However, wind conditions today may provide some opportunity for strategic direct attacks on certain sections of the active fire front.

Crews and heavy equipment will work to extinguish parts of the fire’s edge closest to the community, Bowen stated.

“Heavy equipment is working to remove fuel directly along the fire’s southeast flank which approached the community overnight with good progress being made,” she stated.

“We are hopeful visibility improves enough to allow for air tankers to make drops to support these efforts … (but) visibility has frequently made air attack unsafe during response to this wildfire.”

Structure protection specialists continue to run water cannons and sprinklers to create a wet line within the community and protect buildings at threat due to this wildfire.

Wildland and structural firefighters will patrol for and attack spot fires so long as it is safe to do so should the fire reach the community.

Fire ZF048 hasn’t spread much closer to Whatı̀ since Friday night’s evacuation.

Today, “will be a mild burning day,” stated NWT Fire, with Wednesday forecasted to see light showers with winds gusting up to 57 km/h.

Still no losses of cabins or homes reported at this time.

Wildfire crews were successful in completing an ignition operation south of Lac La Matre.

This was done to use as a natural barrier to stop the fire from spreading and to burn off vegetation in the fire’s path toward the community.

Crews will mop up Sunday’s ignition operation line from Lac La Matre to La Martre River, using helicopters and ground crews when it is safe to do so.

This will provide a large fuel break to halt future fire growth.

Air support is making drops at the fire’s north and east flanks to reduce wildfire intensity and slow potential growth towards the community.

Tłı̨chǫ Government Grand Chief Jackson Lafferty was on hand when some Whatì evacuees arrived in Behchokǫ̀ on the weekend.

In a social media post, Lafferty thanked all who are involved for their hard work setting up the centre.

“It was great to welcome them and assist them, especially the most vulnerable community members. Masi Cho to the emergency team set up at the Sportsplex, very helpful. Masi to TCSA Community Care workers to meet the needs of the elders.

“Masi to the bus drivers for safe delivery. When events such as this happens, the Tłı̨chǫ region comes together and provide support.”

UPDATE: Information on the Whatı̀ fire was added to this story in the early afternoon.