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THEBACHA/FORT SMITH - Occasional smoky skies, a brief closure of Highway 5 and an increased emphasis on evacuation preparations have upped Fort Smith's focus on forest fires this year.

They have also increased the anxiety level among some people.

After the town distributed emergency preparedness guides last month, some residents headed for vehicle fill-ups because the guide advised people to never have less than three-quarters of a tank of gas.

"I heard that people were filling up their vehicles, which is a good idea," said Mayor Janie Hobart.

"We don't want, if there's an evacuation, for people to be lined up," she added. "We want them ready to go."

However, Fort Smith has not been threatened by a forest fire so far this summer, nor has an evacuation been considered.

"We try our best," Hobart said. "There's a balance between creating anxiety and making sure people are prepared."

She noted all town information repeatedly states no evacuation is imminent.

"What we're doing is proper preparation," she said.

The town's new initiatives this year include the emergency preparedness guide sent to all households in mid-June, an emergency registration form sent out about June 22, a hotline updated daily with basic information and a new section on the town's website.

One of the more controversial aspects of evacuation preparedness - stated in a line at the bottom of the emergency registration form - is that people would not be allowed to take pets if there is an evacuation by air. Residents are advised to leave food and water for their pets, and let them run loose.

"Yes, there are people who are quite concerned about that," Hobart said. "It's one of those decisions that you have to make in an emergency that we don't like to have to make, but we just feel that we cannot look after animals as well as people."

The mayor noted, if an evacuation is by road, people could take whatever and whoever they want with them.

One of the concerned people is Fort Smith Animal Society treasurer Dixie Penner, who has three dogs, two cats, a turtle and five goldfish.

"I wouldn't leave them if I had to go by air," she said. "I wouldn't."

Penner said she has received many phone calls about the air evacuation rules, and other people also said they wouldn't leave their pets.

Hobart said the emergency registration forms may have added to the anxiety, which she described as "a certain angst" over forest fires every summer.

She said the forms were sent out, not because the town is anticipating an evacuation, but as part of prudent planning to ensure residents are prepared and could leave town in as smooth a manner as possible.

In the event of an evacuation, the forms are to be handed in so the town will know who is leaving and where they are going.

"I've had many people comment to me that they feel a level of comfort that preparations are being made," Hobart said.

The danger of forest fire to Fort Smith was highlighted on June 25 when a blaze 92 km west on Highway 5 closed the only road to the town until the following morning.

"I think any time our road is closed the anxiety level goes up in the community," Hobart said. "This year or any year."

The 1,938-hectare fire in Wood Buffalo National Park was under control as of June 30.

Hobart said Fort Smith's increased focus on forest fire preparation this summer is partly due to the wildfire disaster in Slave Lake, Alta.

"I would say that that's a contributing factor," she said. "I think all of us have learned lessons from Slave Lake."

She also noted anxiety levels are higher because of Slave Lake.

Penner also said Slave Lake has made everyone a little more worried. But she adds that she has faith in the NWT's firefighters and water bomber pilots.

She also feels Fort Smith is doing its job in preparing residents for the possibility of evacuation.

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