Highway 3 to close each night due to wildfire smoke

Highway 3 opened at 10:30 am after being closed overnight due to poor visibility from wildfire smoke, says the GNWT.

From today through Monday, Highway 3 will be closed each night between Fort Providence and Highway 9 Junction starting at midnight.

If conditions allow, the road may open at 8 am.

Highway crews will be monitoring the conditions and will open the highway as soon as it’s safe to do so.

Highway 9 from Highway 3 to Whatì – also called the Tłı̨chǫ Highway – has re-opened.

Highway 1 near Fort Simpson could be encroached by Fire FS014 later today.

The highway and ferry landing on the east side of the Liard River could also see the fire approaching.

There remains no updates for evacuated residents of Whatì and Fort Providence, save to say their communities remain safe.

Fire FS014-25 is 15 kilometres northwest of Jean Marie River at closest active point and two kilometres east of Highway 1, stated NWT Fire in a morning release.

Today, winds lighter from the southeast could support growth primarily to the west – towards the Liard River and Highway 1.

It would not be expected to push the fire closer to Jean Marie River.

The wildfire is not assessed to be a threat to Fort Simpson or the Fort Simpson Airport at this time.

The Liard River provides a strong buffer to fire growth to the Fort Simpson side of the river.

There is a high likelihood Highway 1 could be closed during the afternoon today due to fire activity.

Highways staff are monitoring the area closely and are in close contact with regional wildfire management staff.

Unfortunately, due to visibility issues, which cause safety concerns for both air and ground crews, we have been unable to hit the fire with water or fire retardant on the side of the fire closest to the highway.

Significant suppression has been done on the southwest end of the fire closest to Jean Marie River in the last few days to help reduce the likelihood of growth towards Jean Marie River.