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UPDATED: Wildfire holds outside Fort Providence with favourable winds
RCMP not happy with people who still haven't evacuated the Dehcho community, but are calling officers for service
“Please be patient, the officials are doing all they can to ensure our safety. I know people want to go home, please be patient, we are all together and safe.”
– Dehcho MLA Sheryl Yakeleya on Tuesday
Fire SS014 has not moved any closer to Fort Providence, as favourable winds have dominated the fire throughout the day, says NWT Fire.
Mid-afternoon, NWT Fire stated crews are using favourable southeast winds to begin a controlled burn operation, overseen by an ignition specialist.
The backburn spans the northern edge of the community, from the Mackenzie River to the northwest, to the southeast corner of the fire.
The expanded fuel breaks from years previous are being used as anchor point, stated Mike Westwick, wildfire information officer.
“Crews with … a helicopter are carefully burning off vegetation in the fire’s path towards the community,” read Westwick’s release.
“Water cannons and sprinklers are running as a contingency to keep the edge of the community wet.”
Visibility on Tuesday has improved enough to use air tankers and will be used to cool the area after completion of the ignition operation.
Once the operation is complete, mop-up will commence at the ignition line’s edge closest to the community.
Incident management team members are communicating regularly with cabin occupants in the area along the Mackenzie River.
Wildland and structural firefighters are ready to patrol for and attack spot fires.
The fire has been kept 900 metres from the southeastern edge of the community and within 2.5-kilometres of the fuel break spanning the northern edge of the hamlet.
A full wildfire update will be issued later this afternoon.
RCMP in Fort Providence are concerned as the detachment continues to receive calls from people who have not evacuated from the community.
“These calls create unneeded risks and hinder the efforts of firefighting personnel working to keep the community safe,” stated a social media post.
The safety of residents is our top priority and we urge those who have not yet evacuated to do so immediately.”
The RCMP also wants to re-assure those evacuated residents that officers remain on duty in both Fort Providence and Whatì.
“The RCMP understands the stress and uncertainty that comes with evacuating your home communities,” stated the force. “We are continuing patrols to safeguard homes and properties as well as supporting our partner agencies in whatever way we can.”
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- The Tłįchọ Animal Care Society stated on Tuesday it’s seeking donations for evacuated Whatı̀ dogs at its pet evacuation staging area. (Photo: TACS/Facebook)
More re-assuring words come from Qimmiq Kennels in Yellowknife.
“We want you to know that your dogs are safe here at Qimmiq,” stated a social media post. “We hope this gives you one less thing to worry about during this difficult time. They will all get lots of love and care!
“We have an incredible team here of Qimmiq staff, Tłįchọ Animal Care Society, and Volunteers all coming together for support.”
But the evacuated doggies need to eat and be secure while being boarded.
The Tłįchọ Animal Care Society stated it’s “desperately seeking donations” for those Tłı̨chǫ dogs at the modest pet evacuation staging area.
“We are seeking the following: dog food; chain link fencing/panels; large dog crates; dog houses; dog tie outs; gift certificates to Canadian Tire and Walmart. Masi!”
Cash donations can be made to the Society’s GoFundMe page.
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- A happy pooch from Whatı̀ being cared for at Qimmiq Kennels in Yellowknife. (Photo: Qimmiq/Facebook)
Canada Post has issued red delivery service alerts for Whati and Fort Providence.
That means the post office is closed, and incoming mail is being securely held off-site until further notice.
“We thank those affected for their patience in this difficult time,” stated the corporation.
Following the re-opening of Highway 3, the Yellowknives Dene First Nation has announced the closure of the Wıìlıìdeh Site near the Yellowknife River.
The site had been temporarily made available for camping to accommodate individuals who attended the weekend’s hand games and were unable to return home due to the highway closure.
And motorists on the Ingraham Trail need to take caution as fire crews are running hose across the highway near the Yellowknife River.
This is in place to help fight a new fire, ZF055, which is currently just 0.2 hectares in size.
UPDATE: Information about the controlled burn was added at 3:45 pm.
