Heat wave continues in North Slave, reinforcements arrive in Hay River

Here are the latest simple updates we have on wildfires threatening NWT communities, with time stamps below.

We have kept these summaries brief so you can get updates without having to wade through many paragraphs. More detailed information is published by NWT Fire and local governments.

Use our guides for help: guide to getting out, guide to where to stay, guide to everything else (including what we know about financial supports). Check our homepage frequently for other updates.

Here’s our fire map. Here’s what to expect from Cabin Radio in the days ahead.

All communities listed are unsafe for your return. Do not travel. There is no timeline for return unless stated.

Yellowknife, Ndılǫ, Dettah, Ingraham Trail

6pm Tuesday: NWT Fire says the Dettah wildfire, fire ZF085 has had minimal growth to the southwest. All other fires in the North Slave Complex remain steady.

The wildfire agency says a heat wave in the North Slave region is expected to continue with record-breaking temperatures overnight and into Wednesday. Winds are also expected to remain gusty overnight and into tomorrow morning.

A chance of a few millimeters of rain has been forecast for Thursday, with a chance of thundershowers into Thursday evening.

Hay River, KFN, Enterprise, Kakisa

7pm Tuesday: NWT Fire says heavy smoke shaded the fire from the sun today, keeping temperatures lower than forecast and moisture in the air higher, causing less fire activity. Aircraft were unable to fly due to the smoke but ground crews were able to get work done. A similar day is expected tomorrow.

No new losses or significant progression of fire SS052 has been reported.

Reinforcements from New Zealand arrived in Hay River today and additional reinforcements from other provinces are expected shortly.

Hay River, West Point First Nation and surrounding areas continue to be threatened.

Kakisa is not at immediate risk from the wildfire.

Fort Smith

11am Tuesday: Parks Canada says the Wood Buffalo Complex – previously known as fires 7, MNZ003 and SS069 –is still out of control.

Firefighters observed increased fire behaviour during the peak burning period, between mid to late afternoon, yesterday. There was some fire growth but it was not significant, Parks Canada says, and lingering smoke kept the fire less active than expected as it shaded the wildfire from the sun.

Today temperatures of 28C, relative humidity of 30 percent and winds from the east southeast gusting up to 15 kilometres per hour are expected. Similar conditions are forecast for Wednesday, which could allow for extreme fire behaviour.

Smoky conditions are expected to last over the next few days but firefighters anticipate that by Friday the smoke may lift and fire behaviour could intensify.

NWT Fire says firefighters continue to work in priority areas assisted by helicopters and heavy equipment.

Jean Marie River

6:50pm Tuesday: NWT Fire says FS028, is now approximately 90 percent contained. Crews are continuing to work on its perimeter.

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