A wildfire 20 kilometres north of Whatì has forced the diversion of NWT Fire crews from a blaze about 50 kilometres from that lakeside Tlicho community.
Weather conditions had influenced Wednesday’s lightning-caused fire ZF026 to grow significantly to the north along the west shores of Lac La Martre.
Thomas Bentham speaks for NWT Fire:
“While no new assessment is available, satellite detection suggests it has reached hundreds of hectares,” he stated in a release.
“We are working on a plan to manage this fire to protect values in the area. There are no immediate threats to communities, cabins, or infrastructure.”
Crews were addressing that blaze, on Thursday, but aerial resources were sent to fire ZF027 which is closer to the community of fewer than 500 residents.
Stated Bentham: “Crews and air support have a good handle on this fire after a strong, successful initial attack. It will continue to be managed. No communities, cabins, or infrastructure are currently at threat.”
As of Thursday night, there were ten new fires in 24 hours, including the two near Whati.
Seven of those are in the South Slave, two in the North Slave, one in the Dehcho.
Stated Bentham: “It continues to be extremely hot and dry from the Sahtu south. Tinder dry forests mean high to extreme fire danger for all communities. We’re doing our part by fighting these fires – do yours by preventing needless ones when you’re out on the land.
Fire SS040 south of Fort Resolution before being water bombed by air tankers Monday July 15. (Photo courtesy of NWT Fire)
Now know as the Little Buffalo Complex (fire s SS040, SS042), both fires were reported on the early evening of July 15, and are believed to be naturally caused.
The GNWT closed Little Buffalo Crossing Territorial Park yesterday, adding to the recommended evacuation of that entire area, south of Fort Resolution.
The smaller of the two blazes, SS042, is now classified as being held, while SS040 remains roughly the same size and is being fought in the air and on the ground.
Other updates:
Fire FS010 (14km west of Highway 1 on the far side of the Mackenzie River): This fire has grown significantly under extreme fire weather conditions. We are working to protect values like cabins in the area. It is not a threat to communities or infrastructure. It will be visible from Highway 1 heading north and south to or from Wrigley, or to those traveling by boat on the Mackenzie or Root Rivers in the area.
Fire SS09-24 (West of Highway 1 past the Alberta/NWT border): Crews continue the long-term plan to manage this fire for the protection of values of risk to protect cabins, infrastructure, and other values in the fire area. A structure protection unit is being deployed to proactively protect values along Highway 1 where required. There are no threats to communities due to last year’s burned area limiting fuels.
