Four new fires in Dehcho region

There were four new fires discovered in the Dehcho region on Thursday, bringing the territory’s total number of active fires up to six.

Three of the four fires are not close to any communities, while the fourth – fire FS002-25 – is 30km southwest of Sambaa K’e.

NWT Fire says this fire is naturally caused, around 300 hectares in size, and is currently out of control.

Firefighters are working on putting sprinkler systems on cabins and other things that may be at risk. 

While smoke may be visible from Sambaa K’e, the community is not currently at risk.

Two of the other fires are 13km and 14km north of the British Columbia border, and crews are beginning to fight these naturally caused, out of control fires. The last fire is 74km east of Fort Liard but poses no threat to the community, cabins, or other infrastructure.

In the South Slave, a fire spotted on May 28 20km north of Fort Smith across the Slave River grew over 50 hectares today, and is now 58 hectares in size and out of control.

It currently does not pose a risk to any infrastructure.

The fire was being fought by ground crews and helicopters today – it was too windy for airtankers to fly.