Fire danger drops lower
April Hudson
Northern News Services
Thursday, May 19, 2016
DEH CHO
Fire danger has dropped in Fort Liard and Fort Simpson from high danger on May 16 to low danger expected in both communities as of May 18.
Cooler temperatures pervaded the area after a blistering weekend that saw Fort Liard hit 29.5 C on May 15 and Fort Simpson hit 25.7 C. At press time on May 17, the NWT Fires website stated there were no wildfires reported in the region.
During a weekly fire update on May 16, Richard Olsen, manager of fire operations for the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, said the Deh Cho continues to experience "noticeably dry ground conditions" which are expected to remain well into summer.
"We're not expecting any significant precipitation in May," he said, adding that precipitation is expected to pick up later in the summer.
On May 12, the regional Environment and Natural Resources office issued a notice to the public that no burn permits would be issued. That was to be re-assessed May 16, although no update was available at press time. Campers were being advised to take extra precautions and not have campfires in forested areas.
One of the territory's fleet of five long-term helicopters is currently positioned in Fort Simpson with a second heading for Hay River.
Olsen said the department's preparations for the fire season are still underway.
The fire season is expected to be an active one, he added. The territory's first fire flared up on the weekend west of Madeline Lake, near Yellowknife.
