Forest fire in southwest N.W.T. prompts warning for travellers on Highway 7

People travelling betweenFort Liard, N.W.T.and northern British Columbiacould see their way blocked by a forest fire that's burning just five kilometres off Highway 7 and heading southwest.

The fire is about120hectaresand about 19 kilometres southwest of Fort Liard, explained Jay Boast, the communications director for the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs.

A lightning strike set the fire, the 11th in the territory this year,Boast said. Despite some rainfall last week, the area is still extremely dry, and the territory reportsthe fire risk as "Extreme" for Fort Liard.

Fire crewsarefightingthe wildfire with a fleet of four air tankers and two helicopters. They've already dropped a line of fire retardant along the north edge of the fire in an effort to contain it from spreading further.

Two more helicopters are expected tobe sent out Thursday to help.

Fire officials say the fire is too hot for fire crews to be on the ground, so right now they can only work from the air.

Temperatures in the region are expected to top29 Call week and Environment Canada issued a heat warning for Fort Liard and Nahanni Butte, the two nearest communities.