Higher winds forecast near Fort Liard, N.W.T., community still under evacuation notice
Windy conditions picked up near Fort Liard, N.W.T. on Monday afternoon, causing a wildfire outside the community to pick up "meaningfully on the west side of the Liard River."
In a Monday afternoon update, N.W.T. Fire said steady winds of 15 to 20 kilometres per hour and gusts between 35 and 50 kilometres an hour are passing over the fire area, while conditions remain dry.
"This could cause fire on the west of the Liard River to grow to the north and put pressure on work to contain fire on the island and prevent crossing of the fire to eastern shore of the Liard River," the update read.
As of mid-afternoon on Monday, the fire was still 19 kilometres southwest of Fort Liard and had not reached the eastern shore of the river.
An evacuation notice was issued for the community on Friday, the first of three levels of emergency the N.W.T. uses. It means that residents should be prepared to leave in case the situation worsens. The second level is an evacuation alert which means people should be ready to leave on short notice, and the final level is an evacuation order which means residents need to leave the area as soon as possible.
There are five fire crews and three helicopters fighting the fire, and two structure protection units have been put up.
No structures have been lost.
As of Monday afternoon, the fire was 639 hectares in size, or 6.39 square kilometres.
N.W.T. Fire said there would be another update on Monday after the "peak burning day passes" between 7 p.m. and 8 p.m.
There is also a new fire 40 kilometres south of Fort Simpson near the checkpoint on Highway 1 at the Liard junction, about 40 kilometres west of Jean Marie River. It is less than one hectare and is being actioned, N.W.T. Fire said.
Meanwhile in nearby Fort Nelson, B.C., the Fort Nelson First Nation is urging any remaining members to leave the area as a separate wildfires threaten that community. The First Nation issued a news release on Sunday afternoon that there will be no emergency services in the community and utilities will likely be cut off soon.
"There are still 12 known occupied homes in the FNFN community. This is an alarming situation, as remaining in the area poses significant risks to your safety and well-being."
Smoke is seen from a wildfire outside Fort Liard on Monday. (Submitted by Mike Westwick )
