As Sahtu fire threat eases, crews will be sent elsewhere in NWT

NWT Fire is preparing to demobilize some crews in the Sahtu and send them elsewhere after weeks of work on the Canol fire complex southwest of Norman Wells.

The fires emerged just under a month ago after a weekend of lightning and have spread to cover more than 30,000 hectares.

“With limited growth observed, we will begin demobilizing crews and resources and sending them to other fires in the territory,” the NWT’s wildfire agency said on Friday.

“This is a positive stage in managing this fire, and there is no risk to communities or infrastructure at this time.”

A regional team will continue coordinating work on the complex.

More broadly, even as Fort Simpson faced the threat of fire FS016 on Friday, conditions across much of the NWT were cooler and fire danger reduced. Scattered showers are expected in some areas over the weekend.

“Localized fire weather concerns remain in the eastern Slave regions, but overall conditions are improving heading into the weekend,” NWT Fire reported.

Even so, a region-wide fire ban continues in both the North Slave and South Slave.

Elsewhere, fire SS009 near Highway 1 just above the NWT-Alberta border has also seen limited growth in recent days.

Fire SS019, 20 km west of Hay River inside a 2023 burn area, is now 75-percent contained. There’s no risk from that fire to any communities.

Parks Canada said it expects to soon begin using controlled ignitions on wildfires around Highway 5 well to the west of Fort Smith.

The work could start as soon as Monday and will likely involve some delays for drivers along the route, including the possible use of pilot cars, the agency said.