Fires still rage across NWT
Lack of rain leaves residents left feeling uneasy
John McFadden
Northern News Services
Published Monday, July 28, 2014
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES
Whati may be safe from fire at the moment, but it doesn't mean it is free from the effects.
Gameti residents were dealing with heavy smoke as two new fires started near their community, according to resident Jenn Wetrade. One, which rained ash on the community, started "yesterday or the day before." - photo courtesy of Jenn Wetrade |
A changing wind pattern early Friday morning left the community blanketed by smoke.
"We're smoked in" said Lisa Mackenzie Nitsiza, the community's acting senior administrative officer.
"The fire is about 12 kilometres to the north, but a south wind is carrying thick smoke right into Whati."
Nitsiza said they've been telling residents to stay indoors, keep their windows closed and drink plenty of fluids to combat the smoke.
"Firefighters made a fire break Thursday north of the community and it appears to be holding," Nitsiza said.
She said a firefighter command post has now been set up in the municipal office.
"Most of the firefighting personnel are from Ontario, but there are some people here from the NWT as well," she said. "Some of them are camping behind our senior's residence.
Others have rented accommodation in the community.
"There are probably about 25 to 30 firefighters here," Nitsiza said.
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (ENR) said Friday that a burn out operation Thursday was successful and that another will be undertaken once conditions are favourable.
Meanwhile, the community of Gameti has been taking its own steps to protect itself from fire.
Judal Dominicata, Gameti's senior administrative officer, said the smoke and flames remain on the other side of the island and Gameti itself is not currently threatened.
"There are no firefighters here right now from outside the community. Our own five local firefighters remain on standby but they're not directly fighting the fire at the moment," he said Friday.
"We have two crews of community members including myself.
"Walking around, walking out to the airport, monitoring the fire, making sure it doesn't get too close.
"There are about a half-dozen volunteers in each group.
"No one is scared and no one is panicking.
Most people here have seen forest fires like this before," he said. "We did a burnout near the community late last month.
"It's about six kilometres long and 200 metres wide.We're confident it will keep fire from reaching us."
However, we've told our elderly residents and anyone who's ill to be ready to travel if need be." Dominicata said.
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources reported Friday there were 97 fires burning in the North Slave Region and by Sunday that number remained unchanged.
A new fire, about 80 kilometres northeast of Yellowknife, was started by lightning Thursday.
Department spokesperson Judy McLinton said it burned through the Discovery Mine area but no structures had been lost.
The department reported Sunday there were 71 active fires in the South Slave Region.
None of them threatened communities but the fire danger remained high to extreme.
There were 20 active fires in the Deh Cho Region, 28 in the Sahtu and six active fires in the Inuvik area.
None were immediately threatening any communities.
McLinton said there was talk Friday of setting up a firefighting encampment at the Folk on the Rocks site near Yellowknife.
But she said the department decided against it, feeling it could be too noisy for the crews to get proper rest.
Meanwhile, the pattern of closing and reopening Highway 3 between Behchoko and Fort Providence has continued this week, with the highway closed all day Sunday.
Jody Oosting, a truck driver for Edmonton-based Grande Peace Transport, said he has waited as long as 30 hours to get his delivery through to Yellowknife.
"I'm lucky. I have family in Yellowknife. So if the road is close going back south, I can stay with them in Yellowknife.
"I'm almost never bring a load back with me so it's not a logistical problem.
"The Department of Transportation does an outstanding job of keeping its website updated and sending out regular Twitter feeds.
So I always know whether the highway is open or closed," he said.
