NWT Fire says Fort Simpson ‘not at threat’ as FS014 moves west

An active wildfire in the Dehcho didn’t meaningfully advance toward Jean Marie River on Tuesday and isn’t an immediate threat to Fort Simpson, NWT Fire says.

Fire FS014’s eastern front is burning about 14 km from Jean Marie River while, to the west, its most active edge is about 17 km from the ferry landing outside Fort Simpson.

NWT Fire said the fire had “expanded to the west, driven by yesterday’s winds from the east,” but wildfire information officer Mike Westwick told Cabin Radio there is no assessed risk to Fort Simpson as of Tuesday late afternoon.

“While the fire is 17 km to the southeast of the ferry landing, there is not assessed to be a threat to the ferry landing or highway access at this time,” NWT Fire stated in an update.

“We do not expect the fire to come within 10 km of either during the burning period, and would not expect it to reach the area.

“Tomorrow, winds are expected to shift to the southwest. This could see fire move to the north and east, rather than the north and west as today’s south to south east winds are pushing the fire. Throughout the rest of the week, winds are not expected to push fire towards Fort Simpson.”

NWT Fire said the 700-metre-wide Liard River also offers “meaningful protections against wildfire” for Fort Simpson, while a burn area from 2021 at the northernmost edge of FS014 “has held throughout the response to this wildfire.”

Meanwhile, an evacuation alert remains in place for Jean Marie River but the fire was no closer to the community on Tuesday.

A change in wind direction has allowed NWT Fire to begin a backburn designed to help protect the community. Winds from the south meant crews could “take out vegetation in the fire’s path to prevent southward growth towards the community of Jean Marie River,” Westwick said.

“The operation so far has been going as planned,” he added. “That work continues. It’s an important step in keeping that fire from reaching the community of Jean Marie River.”

Smoke from the backburn and the fire itself is expected to blow into Fort Simpson, where an advisory is in place warning residents of heavy smoke.

More broadly, Westwick advised residents across the territory to be prepared for “a pretty busy few days” as the weather warms up and fire activity increases.

“We are likely to see quite a bit of smoke and potential fire activity on Highway 3 between Behchokǫ̀ and Fort Providence,” he said.

“With southerly winds and really hot temperatures getting up into the mid-20s, even up close to 30C,” Westwick said travellers should check DriveNWT.ca before heading out and drive with caution.