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Fire crews are placing industrial-strength sprinklers outside Fitzgerald, Fort Smith and points in between “as a precaution” against the Tulip Lake wildfire.
The fire, now about 13,000 hectares in size, remains 15 km northeast of Fitzgerald and 28 km east of Fort Smith.
On Thursday afternoon, NWT Fire said the fire had shown “increased activity on the north and west sides due to gusting winds,” while smoke had interfered with the work of ground crews.
Supported by helicopters and air tankers, those crews are focusing on halting any growth toward the west that would bring the fire closer to communities.
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“Structure protection teams have placed sprinkler systems on all known buildings east of the Slave River on the Alberta side. Northwest Territories has completed structure protection on their side as well,” NWT Fire stated.
“As a precaution, crews with the assistance of Fort Smith Protective Services are completing the installation of high-volume sprinkler systems in Fort Fitzgerald and are then moving on to Halfway, Border Town, and Fort Smith.”
Elsewhere, a new lightning-caused fire has been identified 12 km southeast of Blachford Lake Lodge.
“Crews and aircraft continue their initial attack to limit the fire’s growth. Structure protection will be deployed as needed on the cabins in the area. There is no threat to values at this time,” NWT Fire stated.
If you’re driving between the NWT and Alberta, you may see smoke from fire SS008, which continues to burn in the Cameron Hills. It’s about 13 km west of the highway, NWT Fire said.
