Warm, sunny days and the driest conditions in 40 years brought fires, smoke and evacuations to the Northwest Territories last year. The territorial government has released a report detailing its response, as well as what it can do better in the future.

Warm, sunny days and the driest conditions in 40 years brought fires, smoke and evacuations to the Northwest Territories last year. The territorial government has released a report detailing its response, as well as what it can do better in the future.
Photo Credit: Adrian Skok/Plummer's Lodge

Earlier wildfire forecast on the mark

Predictions earlier this year for another destructive forest fire season seem to be coming true. Last year, records were set in terms of both the number and amount of forest burned across Canada and this year the season has started early. In the central province of Ontario there are currentlysix active fires burning, One fire in northwestern Ontario designated Kenora 28, burned 350 hectares, closed a road and burned power lines in spite of a vigourous effort by several crews to contain it.

This 1500-hectare fire is burning south of the confluence of the Teslin River and Open Creek in Yukon territory
This 1500-hectare fire is burning south of the confluence of the Teslin River and Open Creek in Yukon territory © Yukon Wildland Fire Management

Though now only smouldering, crews will continue to deal with hot spots for several more days. Ontario has also sent over 70 people to the Yukon, and over 120 to Alberta to help crews fight fires there. Since  April 1, there have been 629 wildfires in Alberta with over 13,000 hectares.

Earlier this week, almost all of the central prairie province of Saskatchewan was listed as having an extreme fire risk
Earlier this week, almost all of the central prairie province of Saskatchewan was listed as having an extreme fire risk © Govt of Saskatchewan

As of late Monday night there were 71 fires burning in the province, with 27 considered out of control.  Most have been started by lightning strikes in the dry forests. This week officials announced a ban on all open fires in the province’s forest protection area which is about 60 percent of the province and includes campgrounds, and all random and backcountry trails. Also earlier this week, a similar ban was imposed in most of northern Saskatchewan which has seen more than 180 wildfires this year.

Fire officials say a forest fire near Kenora is still smouldering, despite an aggressive attack.
Fire officials say a forest fire near Kenora is still smouldering, despite an aggressive attack. © Submitted by Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry

An extreme fire risk was announced for almost the entire province earlier this week as well.  As of Tuesday there were 19 wildfires in the province, seven of which are not contained. Officials are concerned as high temperatures and thunderstorms with lightning are predicted for the southern part of the province today. In the northern territory of Yukon some 43 fires are burning. This is compared to 32 wildfires in total from last year. Most have been started by lightning.

A firefighter works to stop the spread of the wildfire near Lodgepole, Alberta.  Officials have closed down parts of Highway 579 just west of Water Valley because a wildfire is causing heavy smoke in the area, which has reduced visibility
A firefighter works to stop the spread of the wildfire near Lodgepole, Alberta. Officials have closed down parts of Highway 579 just west of Water Valley because a wildfire is causing heavy smoke in the area, which has reduced visibility © Laura Osman/CBC

The Northwest Territories last year had their worst season last year, spending some $56 million to combat fires that burned 3 million hectares. Currently there are four wildfires burning in that territory, although officials there say the forest is tinder dry. Fire Chief Ross Potter in the town of Hay River says, “It’s really dry out there. Even the muskeg is powdery. All it takes to really get a fire going is a pop bottle in a grassy area,” says Potter. “Sun reflects through the bottle, and that can cause a fire.” With files from CBC

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