118 residents helping with Fort Good Hope firefighting efforts

Around 118 residents from Fort Good Hope have remained in the community to help with firefighting efforts.

Essential service workers – such as paramedics and grocery store staff – were returning to the town on Sunday.

Meanwhile, around 100 residents evacuated to a fish camp near the community, 225 went to Norman Wells, and 12 went to Délı̨nę.

“I think everyone that’s helping out right now is going through a lot themselves, regardless of fighting the fire. We still have families that we have to think about day to day and how we are not with them but here fighting the fire,” said Chief Collin Pierrot in a news conference on Monday afternoon.

“I would like to give a pat on the back … to my community members, my leadership here that are stepping up and have stepped up while I was away from the community,” he said, also thanking Norman Wells and Délı̨nę for taking Fort Good Hope residents in. Pierrot was out of the community when the fire started but has since returned to lead the response.

“The fact that local authorities have retained command of such an incident speaks volumes to the leadership and the dedication to protecting their communities,” adde Vince McKay, GNWT minister of municipal and community affairs.

Volunteer firefighters from Fort Good Hope are assisting NWT Fire crews by working afternoon and evening shifts.

Pierrot said they have “tailgate meetings” daily with the volunteers to keep them informed and organized.

In addition to the volunteers, there are three fire crews, two fire technicians, and an incident management team working on fighting the fire. Four more fire crews are also on the way.

As ground crews patrol the perimeter of the fire and put out hot spots and install sprinklers, aerial crews are dropping fire retardant and water to slow the fire and protect structures.

Fire remains out of control, no structures lost

The Fort Good Hope fire remains out of control, but fire crews have been able to prevent the fire from spreading into the community and destroying any structures.

The fire, last measured at 1,368 hectares in size, reached the edge of the community on Sunday. 

“Today’s forecast calls for northeasterly winds 15km/h, gusting up to 15-20km/h pushing the fire away from the community,” noted NWT Fire in a Monday morning update.

“Later in the evening, the winds will shift westerly later in the evening to 15km/h, gusting up to 20km/h.”

While there is no rain forecast, the fire agency said Tuesday’s expected light westerly winds will also help firefighting efforts.

Financial assistance available to evacuees

Fort Good Hope residents affected by the evacuation can apply to the GNWT’s Emergency Evacuation Funding Program to help cover their day-to-day costs.

This one-time financial support provides $800 for adults and $400 for each of their dependents under the age of 18. 

Mail delivery delayed

Canada Post is advising mail to Fort Good Hope will be postponed during the evacuation.

“Mail is being securely held until further notice,” the agency said on Monday afternoon.