Specialists establish ‘wet line’ to protect Jean Marie River

NWT Fire says a team of structure protection specialists are working to protect Jean Marie River as a wildfire burns nearby.

In a Wednesday update, the wildfire agency said the specialists were sent to Jean Marie River on Tuesday night ahead of expected northwest winds.

Fire FS014 is burning 24km northeast of Jean Marie River and 23km southeast of Fort Simpson. As of 2pm on Wednesday, the lightning-caused fire, which is classified as being out of control, was assessed as being 4,147 hectares in size.

NWT Fire said a perimeter of wet line has been set along the north end of the community and crews continue to work to minimize fire growth.

“The fire remains just over 20km away, but being proactive ahead of changing conditions is critical to managing wildfires,” it stated.

Community remains under evacuation alert

Tthets’éhk’édélı̨ First Nation issued an evacuation alert on Monday advising residents of Jean Marie River to be prepared in case they have to evacuate.

In its own update on Wednesday, the First Nation said winds are expected in the afternoon, which could cause the fire to “flare up.”

It said fire protection methods being employed in the community by structure protection specialists and members of Hay River’s fire department include sprinklers and eliminating fuel sources. It added that a firebreak will be constructed around the water reservoir.

“While all this work may seem intimidating and scary, please know that these efforts are all protection efforts,” the First Nation stated, stressing that residents have not been ordered to evacuate.