Firefighters working to contain Ingraham Trail blaze
Reid Lake Campground remains closed as a base camp for firefighters working to bring west, south flanks under control
Laura Busch
Northern News Services
Published Friday, July 11, 2014
SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
A fire burning to the east of the Ingraham Trail held steady this week, allowing firefighters to work on securing the south and west flanks of the blaze to prevent it from destroying area cabins or working its way into Reid Lake Territorial Campground.
After easterly winds pushed the fire - designated Fire 17 - toward the Ingraham Trail last Friday, the roadway was shut near Powder Point from midnight on Friday until noon on Sunday.
Reid Lake Campground remains closed as the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (ENR) is using the site as a fire base for crews working in the area, said ENR spokesperson Judy McLinton.
An incident management team of about 10 firefighters has been brought in from B.C. and is responsible for that fire and another near Plumber's Lake Lodge, said McLinton. Another 35 type-1 firefighters from Alaska, Saskatchewan and the NWT were working on containing Fire 17 with the aid of two helicopters on Wednesday.
"They have a plan in place. They've been doing a direct attack on the west flank of the fire," said McLinton. "They're also going ahead and cutting some lines to the south because the fire could go around to the southwest.
"They have to secure the west flank and the south because it could come down and around and up to Reid Lake.
"So, if they secure that, it won't happen and that will protect the Ingraham Trail."
As of Wednesday, the fire itself was burning about 7.5 kilometres east of Reid Lake and winds had held relatively steady since last Friday, keeping the fire more or less in place.
The blaze has spread north to the burn area from the 1998 Tibbitt Lake Fire, which slowed its northward spread considerably, as there is far less fuel in that area, said McLinton.
Yellowknifers can expect to see smoke and ash in the city over the next few days.
Residents with property past Powder Point are advised to FireSmart their properties by cutting brush from around buildings, and ensuring wood piles and other potential fuel are a safe distance from structures, said McLinton.
"Think about investing in a pump and hoses," she said.
The management of the fire near Reid Lake is one of about five fires being actively fought in the Northwest Territories this week. With 55 active fires, this is one of the worst fire seasons on record, said McLinton, and with the tinder-dry conditions in the territory, that is unlikely to change in the immediate future.
"We are in an extreme drought," said McLinton. "We haven't seen drought like this for about 30 years.
"To put it in perspective, it would take at least two inches of rain to make a difference in any of those fires."
