Klewi Complex in Wood Buffalo now ‘being held,’ Parks Canada says

The Klewi Complex – a group of wildfires in Wood Buffalo National Park near Highway 5 – is now being held “thanks to the exceptional work of incident response personnel,” Parks Canada said in a Wednesday evening update.

Parks Canada said the term “being held” means the fire is not likely to spread beyond its “existent or predetermined boundaries under current and forecasted conditions.”

There is no threat to communities and infrastructure at this time, Parks Canada said.

One of the two wildfires in the complex has been burning since May 22 and had been considered out of control until Tuesday, the Wednesday update stated.

Parks Canada said 359 km of the approximately 403-km fire perimeter has now been contained or controlled.

“Crews continue to make steady progress toward full control of the complex with support from helicopter bucketing,” said Parks Canada.

Crews are also completing night infrared drone scans to identify hotspots, Parks Canada said.

The Klewi Complex has burned about 52,116 hectares and is reported to be 21 km from Highway 5.

New Sahtu fires

Meanwhile, NWT Fire said on Wednesday two new lightning-caused fires have been reported in the Sahtu.

VQ004 is 100 hectares and 24 km west-northwest of Tunago Lake, while VQ005 is less than a hectare and five kilometres from Lac des Bois.

Neither fire poses a risk to communities, infrastructure or cabins at this time, NWT Fire said.

NWT Fire said smoke from VQ001 and VQ002 burning near Norman Wells may be visible in the community. VQ001 is 1,100 hectares and 33 km from Norman Wells, while VQ002 is 10,000 hectares and 24 km from the community.

Elsewhere in the NWT, lightning-caused fire SS005 continues to burn 38 km west of Kakisa Lake and 17 km south of Highway 1. NWT Fire said people on Highway 1 should expect smoke.

“Crews have started actioning this fire, please be aware if you are driving on Highway 1,” NWT Fire said.