Philippe Morin
Northern News Services
Monday, July 16, 2007

INUVIK - With conditions rated as extreme and weather forecasts predicting no rain, it seems NWT forests have become dry and dangerous.

"It's still rated extreme, because we've had some lighting. There's been some precipitation, but not in appreciable amounts," said Paul Rivard, forest manager of the Sahtu.

On July 10, Audrey Edgi and Arthur Lafferty (background), both with Crew C of Fort Good Hope, soak the forest ground in the Sahtu region. Forest fires have been burning across the NWT in recent weeks, and residents are being asked to use "extreme caution." - photo courtesy of Jason Boyle, Sahtu Fire Technician

On July 11, Rivard said firefighters were busy fighting two blazes in the region.

He said staff were putting in 12-hour days, fighting one fire 20 miles southwest of Fort Good Hope and another outside Norman Wells.

"They're still at it, we're using helicopters bucketing and also ground crews. They're pretty well all being held, but we have to keep an eye on them," he said.

He also added at least eight locations are known to be on fire across the Sahtu, though most blazes are small and contained, so they are not a high priority.

Mike Gravel, who is a manager of forests for Inuvik and the surrounding region, said people should be extremely careful.

"We're hoping people can avoid using fire, unless it's to keep warm or cook food at a campfire," he said.

"If they have to, they should make the fire as small as possible and keep water on hand. Any little spark can start a fire under these conditions.

On July 11, Gravel said four fires were burning outside Tsiigehtchic along the Arctic Red River.

While the fires were too far away to threaten any buildings, he said firefighters were keeping a close watch.

"They're far south, the closest one is about 70 kilometres south of Tsiigehtchic and the furthest one is about 160 kilometres south," he said.

"They're just being monitored to make sure they don't spread near any cabins, at this time the nearest cabin is about 30 kilometres away," he said.

Gravel added another fire was burning in the direction of Eagle Plains across the Yukon border on July 11.

However, this fire did not appear likely to cross into the NWT.

Daniel Allaire, who is duty officer and forest officer in the Deh Cho, said 16 fires were burning in that region.

On July 12, he said none were considered dangerous, but some had been quite large, reaching a few hundred acres.

"We are monitoring the fires right now, just to watch," he said.

He added that three inches of rain had fallen on the Canada Day long weekend, but this did not stem the fires entirely.

In some cases, he said, authorities must monitor brush that appears fine, because fire could still be rekindled by the wind.

While conditions might seem extreme, Rivard said the Sahtu is actually burning as per its average for the past 20 years.

Allaire and Gravel also agreed this year was not especially unusual, dangerous as it might be.

Wherever people find themselves, Gravel said, they should follow the same advice.

"Try not to use fire. If you must, keep the fire small as possible and keep water on hand. The forest is critically dry," he said.