Rain around Jean Marie River, N.W.T., prevented fire from moving closer
The community remains on an evacuation alert, meaning residents are told to be prepared to leave if need be. Rain around Jean Marie River has prevented a wildfire from moving toward the community.
Residents were told to brace for a possible evacuation on Wednesday as strong winds threatened to push the fire in the direction of the Dehcho community. The fire, which was more than 20 kilometres northwest of the community Wednesday, had prompted Jean Marie River First Nation to issue an evacuation alert earlier in the week.
On Wednesday, Chief Melanie Norwegian-Menacho said the First Nation was prepared to send people to Fort Simpson if an evacuation order became necessary.
Poon said the community remains under the evacuation alert, which means residents should be prepared to leave on short notice if the fire situation changes.
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He said a large sprinkler system has been set up around Jean Marie River, and crews are using the favourable weather to focus on containing the fire along its eastern and southern edges.
Poon said community members have been helping and that their efforts “have been key.”
Other fires
Poon said rain also improved conditions around Highway 3, where multiple fires are burning.
He said crews are also working on structural protection of nearby cabins in that area.
Poon said the rain also lessened the threat of a fire on Campbell Lake east of Yellowknife, which was threatening nearby cabins.
“The fire near a cabin on Campbell Lake reached the sprinkler line but didn’t move beyond it,” he said.
Despite the rain helping the situation, Poon said it’s not the time to be complacent.
Lightning was spotted around Yellowknife on Wednesday, but Poon said N.W.T. Fire won’t know if that caused more fires “until a little bit later.”
He said gusty winds are expected on Thursday, especially in the South Slave region, which will keep the fire risk high.
With files from Hilary Bird
Related stories from around the North:
Canada: Is the promise of military icebreakers political theatre or sensible policy?, CBC News
Russia: New New Shipping, Rosatom to build container ships for year-round Arctic sailings, The Independent Barents Observer
Finland: Last week’s wildfires in Northern Lapland cost taxpayers more than €100k, Yle News
Norway: Smoke from Canadian wildfires forecast to reach Norway, The Associated Press
Sweden: High risk of wildfires in many parts of Sweden, including North, Radio Sweden
United States: Wildfires in Anchorage? Climate change sparks disaster fears, The Associated Press
