Hay River, N.W.T. at threat as weather conditions form 'a recipe for extreme fire behaviour'

The N.W.T. government says Hay River is at threat as weather conditions over the weekend are expected to be "a recipe for extreme fire behaviour."

In a statement sent around 1:30 p.m. on Friday, N.W.T. Fire forecasted temperatures reaching 30 C and south-southwest winds gusting as high as 50 km/h at night.

The conditions were described as "serious challenges to firefighting efforts." Similar conditions led to a wildfire that tore through the community ofEnterprisetwo weeks ago.

The fire is burning about eight kilometres south of Hay River.

"Without the protection that is now in place and fire personnel the fire would travel at five to six kilometres per hour," reads a Friday afternoon update from the Town of Hay River.

"The next three days will have an elevated fire risk."

Friday will be crucial for N.W.T. fires with strong winds, hot temperatures in the forecast

1 year ago

Duration 6:21

N.W.T. Fire Information Officer Jessica Davey-Quantick lays out the territory's wildfire outlook for Friday. The forecast in Yellowknife and the South Slave region calls for a highs of between 26-28 C and strong southwest winds. Though an evacuation order has been changed for Jean Marie River, officials stress that it isn't safe for many evacuees to return.

The town has shared details of ongoing efforts to try and mitigate the fire's growth.

"All crews will fall back into the Hay River area if the fire conditions worsen to have maximum effect in reducing fire risk to the town," the update reads.

NWT Fire's statement said K't'odeeche First Nation Reserve has significant burned area surrounding its most populated area, which can "providea degree of protection."

It also saidfire is not expected to progress closer to Kakisa under these conditions.

Smoke limiting air support near Fort Smith

Similar conditions are expected near Fort Smith, N.W.T., in the coming days.

"We anticipate a challenging firefighting day based on the forecast," reads a Thursday night updatefrom Wood Buffalo National Park officials.

On Friday morning, the parks service said the wildfire had shown "extreme fire behaviour" in some areas in recent days and they're expecting the same Friday. It grew toward a number of communities including Fort Smith, Thebachaand Fort Fitzgerald.

The fire is now about 3.4 kilometres away from Fort Smith, 2.4 kilometres away kilometres away from the Bell Rock subdivision outside town, and 4.3 kilometres from Thebacha. On Tuesday, it closed in about 2.5 kilometrestoward Fort Fitzgerald.

In the Thebacha area, dozer crews had to pull out of the area in late afternoon as fire activity increased.

Yellowknife fire may 'challenge defences'

N.W.T. FireFriday afternoon said crews were expecting temperatures in the high 20s, with south-southwest winds hitting the fire burning northwest of Yellowknife. Winds are expected to push the fire across Highway 3 again that day.

The fire agency said infrared scans show the section of fire closest to Yellowknife is still hot and crews expect to see activity on the east side closest to Yellowknife. They're also bracing for intermittent crown fire burning through the tops of trees.

On Friday morning, Jessica Davey-Quantick, fire information officer for the N.W.T. government, told CBC News Network that winds would be pushing the wildfire burning near Yellowknife toward the city.

Coupled with unseasonably warm weather about 26 C near the capital she said the fire may be "really challenging our defences."

Davey-Quantick compared the conditions to blowing on a campfire and said additional smoke and flames are expected.

She added that heavy equipment crews are continuing to work on strengthening barriers set up near the city.

Meanwhile, a wildfire 29 kilometres southeast of Dettah is expected to get more intense todayafter a lengthy period of relative calm.

N.W.T. Fire said that the fire, helped by northwest winds, could move 12 kilometresif it escapes containment.