Showers ‘help prevent growth’ of fire near Fort Simpson highway

NWT Fire says rain showers on Tuesday have helped to stem the development of a wildfire near Highway 1 between Checkpoint and Fort Simpson.

That highway is the lone road connecting Fort Simpson to the rest of Canada.

Fire FS005, naturally caused, developed on Monday about 12 km north of the Checkpoint intersection with Highway 7 south. It was about a kilometre west of the highway when first detected and 40 km south of Fort Simpson.

On Wednesday afternoon, NWT Fire said FS005 is 22 hectares in size but Tuesday’s rain “helped prevent any significant growth.”

“Heavy equipment and crews will be working to further contain the fire along the highway,” the wildfire agency stated.

Highway 1 running past the wildfire from Checkpoint to the Liard Crossing ferry was open as of 3pm on Wednesday according to the GNWT’s highway conditions webpage.

Meanwhile, a fire farther east along Highway 1 that began near Redknife River is still burning, though the highway is currently open.

“Numerous values along the highway are at risk,” NWT Fire stated on Wednesday.

“Aircraft are reassessing to determine if it has jumped the river to the northwest or if lightning has possibly started a new fire.

“Teams and heavy equipment are working along the highway to cap growth to the east and will continue to protect assets as best possible.”

Southwest of Fort Liard, conditions on Wednesday were keeping the wildfire quiet as it burns 19 km from the community.

“Winds coming from the north should push the fire back on itself and take pressure off lines of defence built to prevent fire from crossing the Liard River,” NWT Fire stated on Wednesday lunchtime.

“Tomorrow, slight warming to around 16 degrees, but a forecast sharp drop in moisture in the air means a dry day which could support elevated fire activity. Winds continuing to come mostly from the north, which is favourable for continued progress on containing the fire.”