‘Another week at best’ as more rain falls on Fort Simpson wildfire

The Chief of the Łı́ı́dlı̨ı̨ Kų́ę́ First Nation told Fort Simpson residents “it looks like about another week at best” as evacuees head toward their second weekend away from home.

NWT Fire estimates up to 25 mm of rain hit fire FS016 over the past 24 hours.

Chief Kele Antoine said waiting another week or more is “not the answer anyone wants to hear, but I also want to be honest with you.”

“Even with the rain, there is still a lot of work to do before it’s safe for you all to return,” he wrote on Thursday evening.

The territory’s wildfire agency said rain and cooler weather had “drastically lowered fire behaviour” from FS016, which pushed into some residential subdivisions late last week. Firefighters have been working around the clock since to protect homes, with one house so far confirmed lost.

The rain did not completely extinguish the fire, NWT Fire stated, and “will not have a permanent long-term effect on the fire as warm and dry conditions are forecast to return next week.”

“The amount of rainfall received will quicken some work for firefighters, but is not enough to have an immediate impact on the status of the evacuation order,” NWT Fire added.

Danger trees – trees affected by both fire and rain that pose a threat to power infrastructure, property or people – exist in significant numbers in subdivisions south of the main village, officials said on Thursday, while crews are still working in those subdivisions “to mop up around structures and in forested areas.”

While the shift in language was noticeable – mopping up had not previously been mentioned, a sign firefighting was progressing toward a new stage – the overriding message was that a return home is still some way off.

Antoine noted essential services would also have to resume before people can come home.

“I wish we could all come home tomorrow and get back to normal,” he wrote, “but we need to be patient and let these crews finish the job safely.”

In Wrigley, NWT Fire said crews continued to work on fire FS015’s southeastern line with bucketing support from helicopters.

Faced with active fire behaviour, “lines held but smoke should be expected in the area,” the wildfire agency stated. “The fire has not progressed closer to town at this time.”

Fort Simpson has been under an evacuation order since June 28. Wrigley was evacuated on June 29.