Firefighters in Fort Simpson mopping up, extinguishing deep ash pits

Fire crews responding to a wildfire burning near Fort Simpson are mopping up across the fire, with a focus on putting out hotspots and deep burning ash pits.

“Mop-up is a thorough and time-consuming process, but it is essential to ensure the fire is fully extinguished and the area is safe,” NWT Fire stated on SUnday.

NWT Fire said mop-up is “one of the most important stages of a wildfire response” because hidden hotspots could smoulder for weeks and reignite if left untreated.

Łı́ı́dlı̨ı̨ Kų́ę́ First Nation Chief Kele Antoine said on Sunday night that deep ash pits “may not look dangerous from the surface” but are sometimes two to four feet deep and can seriously injure someone if they step in one. The Village of Fort Simpson said the ash pits are very deep because of underlying drought conditions.

“These underground fires take time to find and fully extinguish, and that’s one of the reasons crews are taking the time they need before everyone returns home. Your safety remains the priority,” said Chief Antoine.

He reminded anyone still in Fort Simpson to use “extreme caution if you’re in or around burned areas.”

“Please avoid walking through burned ground unless it has been cleared as safe,” said Antoine.

Firefighters are also working to create a blackline around the fire. A blackline means there is no remaining fire 100 ft into the wildfire perimeter in both forested area and around structures.

Areas that have a completed 100-ft blackline include the culture camp just south of the causeway, the forested area between Gil Crescent and Wild Rose, and sections of east Wild Rose. Fire crews continue to work to establish a 100-ft blackline in areas of Gil Crescent, Four Mile Road to the river, near the airport and along Highway 1.

On July 11, the Village of Fort Simpson confirmed some structure protection for homes on the hill has been removed because “if fire does come back, it will be smaller and along the ground. This is much more manageable for the firefighters to deal with.” The village reassured residents that structure protection remains on homes considered to be under threat.

“Flare ups continue to occur, and the hot weather over the next few days will certainly show more. With so many firefighters working hard, we hope to see meaningful progress on fire containment over the coming days,” the village said in its July 12 update.

“I know everyone is eager to come home. Every hotspot that is extinguished and every dangerous tree that is removed brings us one step closer. We all want to get back, but we want to do it safely,” said Antoine as Fort Simpson enters its third week under evacuation order.

Antoine said the drone team that has been identifying hotspots on the fire near Fort Simpson is heading to Wrigley to do the same on a fire burning 12 km from the community.

A July 12 update from NWT Fire said the wildfire near Wrigley grew to 16,896 hectares but not toward the community, instead growing on the western side towards Mt Gaudet.

NWT Fire said the southeastern line of the wildfire is now considered contained. Structure protection was tested on July 11 and is now complete.

Fire crews are responding to hotspots and creating a 100-ft blackline “in areas that require it.” Danger trees are also being removed with permission from the Pehdzéh Kı̨ First Nation.