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NWT Fire reported at least seven new wildfires on Saturday, while a fire 23 km southeast of Fort Simpson has grown to 800 hectares in size since first being discovered on Friday.
That fire – fire FS014, roughly midway between Fort Simpson and Jean Marie River – is being attacked by air tankers and helicopters to suppress its growth.
Saturday’s new fires mostly came in the Beaufort Delta. An afternoon update from NWT Fire noted three newly discovered fires in the region, while the wildfire agency’s map showed three further fires by 5pm.
Two of those fires were located not far from the Dempster Highway about halfway between Tsiigehtchic and Inuvik. Three more were somewhat farther from the road, though in roughly the same part of the region. The sixth is west of the Arctic Red River, some distance south of Tsiigehtchic.
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There was no immediate suggestion of any threat to communities or cabins from those fires.
The day’s other newly reported fire came in the North Slave.
Fire ZF009 was estimated by NWT Fire to be eight kilometres southeast of the Nico site, where Fortune Minerals hopes to open a cobalt, gold, bismuth and copper mine.
“This lightning-caused fire is estimated to be two hectares in size is classified as out of control. Air tankers worked the fire Friday, June 27 and crews are en route to action this fire further. There is currently no risk values in the area,” NWT Fire stated.
Fire VQ007, reported earlier this week nine kilometres southwest of Fort Good Hope, is now said by NWT Fire to be 65-percent contained.
