Edzo moves to evacuation notice over wildfire
The community of Edzo is now on evacuation notice – the first of three levels of preparation in case an evacuation is needed – as a wildfire burns in the area.
An evacuation notice was posted to a Facebook page associated with the Northwest Territories community on Tuesday morning.
It isn't an evacuation order. An evacuation notice means residents need to prepare for an emergency. The next level up, an evacuation alert, warns residents that they may need to leave soon. The final stage is an evacuation order, when residents are told to leave.
A further update was expected at 4 p.m.
Wildfire ZF011 was one of more than a dozen new wildfires that began across the N.W.T. during a warm weekend that also featured lightning and strong wind in places.
In a Tuesday afternoon update, N.W.T. Fire said it was working toward reducing the fire’s impact on Edzo – but warned the situation may worsen if strong winds and hot, dry weather conditions last.
“The greatest concern is continued north winds, followed by winds from the west or spot fires – fires started by embers blowing through the air ahead of the head of the fire – across parts of Marian Lake could cause threat to Behchokò (Edzo),” N.W.T. Fire's update read.
The other concern was spot fires across Frank Channel, the wildfire agency noted.
N.W.T. Fire said air and ground crew were able to make progress fighting the fire on Tuesday morning. Wednesday’s objective will be to “hold back southerly growth of this fire as much as possible ahead of west winds.”
ZF011 "may present an increased risk to the community endangering life and/or property," Behchokǫ̀'s community government warned on Tuesday. Edzo is one of three neighbourhood communities, alongside Rae and Frank Channel, that collectively form the community of Behchokǫ̀.
"Residents and visitors are advised to prepare for the emergency and/or evacuation if necessary," the notice continued.
New fires in Dehcho
In the Dehcho, N.W.T. Fire said workers were assessing a new wildfire just under 40 km east of Fort Simpson, where residents reported seeing smoke. Two fires began in that area over the holiday weekend, both on the far side of the Mackenzie River from the village.
A new fire is burning west of Highway 1 on the stretch toward the Alberta border. The fire is approximately 30 km from the road, N.W.T. Fire said, and is north of the existing fire that has been burning for weeks in the vicinity of the border.
N.W.T. Fire also warned that more disruption on Highway 7 is likely south of the Checkpoint intersection as fire FS008 continues to burn. The highway was closed for periods over the weekend but reopened on Monday.
"Three crews and heavy equipment are working to limit further growth between km 238 and 232," N.W.T. Fire stated. "Helicopters may land on the highway. Expect delays."
Work continues on the Fort Good Hope wildfire, where no major change was reported over the past 48 hours.
Ollie Williams and Aastha Sethi, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Cabin Radio
