An Evacuation order is in effect for Saamba K'e due to a wildfire in the area. Residents of Sambaa K’e are being advised on evacuation procedures by local officials.
A Special Wildfire Bulletin was issued with a statement regarding a home lost during an ignition operation on June 4, 2023.
This fire is not under control. It was last estimated at 249,077 Ha burned within the Northwest Territories.
It remains an estimated 10km away from the edge of Sambaa K’e at its closest points.
Our team is doing everything they can to protect the community and things people value on the land between the fire and the community.
Updates from today
Winds were more favourable as-forecast today – coming from the northwest.
With increased moisture in the area and these favourable winds, the fire activity was much lower today than in prior days and the fire did not advance.
To protect things people value beyond the community, the team have been conducting small-scale burns around some structures. The intent is to discourage the fire from consuming these structures if the fire gets close.
They also continued to install and maintain sprinklers for structure protection within the community; and beyond as they put sprinklers on additional cabins.
Structure loss
Today, one individual was informed a cabin was lost. It is believed to have occurred during explosive growth of the wildfire last week.
This is always an unfortunate outcome – one that fire managers never like to see. However, the reality is that these losses happen.
The Boreal Forest is a landscape shaped by fire with things we value dotting that landscape.
Sometimes, firefighters can’t make in time safely – especially when facing large, fierce wildfires.
In the NWT, we can all make a difference and reduce our risk of wildfire damage – even if wildfire comes. FireSmart principles offer a proven way to do that – and there are simple, inexpensive steps anyone can take to make homes, cabins, camps, and businesses more resilient to wildfire.
Expected progression
The fire has not reached the community of Sambaa K’e and is unlikely to in the short-term.
There remains risk that it could occur in the days ahead as the weather is expected to heat up, and winds from the south are expected to return.
We’ll be doing all we can on the ground to protect the community should the time come.
Response
The main objective on this fire is to prevent the loss of structures. Here’s what we’re doing to get that done:
- Air tankers will complete drops on priority targets near the community to attempt to slow growth at the fire’s front as visibility allows.
- Structure protection will continue with two key priorities:
- Continuing to set up and maintain sprinklers in Sambaa K’e to discourage ignition should fire reach the community. This is complete on all critical infrastructure and buildings on the periphery of Sambaa K’e,
- Expanding protection work beyond the community – which had been stalled due to visibility problems hampering flights, meaning crews could not get there. Structure protection is set up at Island Lake, and missions will be flown as is safe to begin work on other structures in the path of this over 100km wide fire.
- The team will continue to ensure no new dangerous flare ups at the site of the test fire and ignition operation.
Aircraft and other resources may also be shared with FS007 as-available at the north of Sambaa K’e Lake to assist in their operation to protect structures at Moose River.
Team responding
A total of 48 personnel are assigned to this fire – including an Incident Management Team, along with seven crews now onsite, heavy equipment, ignitions specialists, a structure protection specialist, multiple airtankers, and 4 helicopters.
This lightning-caused fire near Moose River at the north end of Sambaa K’e Lake (Trout Lake) is currently 5 Ha in size. A crew and airtankers are actioning it to protect structures nearby.
This lightning-caused fire is approximately 1 Ha and about 51km southwest of Jean Marie River, and 33km south of the junction between Highways 3 and 7. It is being monitored for protection of communities, cabins, and infrastructure.
This lightning-caused fire, located approximately 55 km southwest of Camsel Bend, 133 km west of Fort Simpson, has jumped the Ram River. It is being monitored for values protection.
All other fires in the region are being monitored.
Here is information about precautions for dealing with wildfire smoke:
Here’s some advice to follow based on fire danger levels in your area.
- Low: Have campfires and burn with regular caution. Fires may still start easily, but it is less likely to grow and spread.
- Moderate: Take extra caution by keeping campfires and burn piles as small as possible. Fires may start more easily and have a higher chance of growing and spreading.
- High: Do not have any fires unless it is necessary for food or warmth. Keep them as small as possible. Pay special attention to anything else nearby that embers from your fire could hit. Consider using contained flames, like propane stoves or barbecues, for your cooking needs. There may be fire restrictions in place because at high fire danger, there is a good chance fires will start easily, grow quickly, and challenge firefighters trying to fight them.
- Extreme: Do not have campfires or burn things unless there is no other choice for food or warmth. Use contained flames like propane stoves or barbecues for food whenever possible. At extreme fire danger, forests are very dry and it is likely fire will start easily, spread quickly, and cause real challenges for firefighters when they need to be fought. Hunting, fireworks, campfires, or other burning may be restricted.
