Crews look to protect Highway 1 from wildfire using planned burn

NWT Fire hopes to use a planned burn on Tuesday to help protect Highway 1 from wildfire FS014 outside Fort Simpson.

The fire, burning since June, hasn’t yet reached the highway but has come within 200 metres of it in places.

Tuesday’s wind in the region is coming from the west and northwest, pushing the fire away from the highway and creating an opportunity for what NWT Fire calls an “ignition operation” if conditions are just right.

If it goes ahead, “teams will use helicopters dropping small incendiary devices to intentionally burn off conifers in the fire’s path towards Highway 1,” NWT Fire stated in a 3pm update.

“The goal is to hold fire to the east of Highway 1 and eliminate potential for future spot fires. Wildfire crews, helicopters and airtankers will be on standby to hold the burn within its intended boundaries.”

At the other end of the fire, to the east, the wildfire agency said crews and helicopters had successfully fought a “small jump spot” beyond a containment line outside Jean Marie River.

Łı́ı́dlı̨ı̨ Kų́ę́ First Nation Chief Kele Antoine said on Tuesday he had driven out to the fire site and seen that it had not yet reached Highway 1.

“The winds have shifted in our favour, now blowing away from the road,” Chief Antoine wrote on Tuesday afternoon.

“This shift could provide an opportunity for ECC to begin working on their plan for a backburn. If that happens, there may be a temporary road closure for a short window of time to ensure everyone’s safety.”