ZF048-25

All Whatı̀ residents are now able to return home. 

Weather conditions 

• Today, the area will continue to experience unseasonably warm, windy weather with the possibility of scattered showers.
• Strong southeasterly winds are expected for the day at 20km/h, gusting up to 45km/h. Winds will shift north in the evening at 20-30km/h, gusting 40-50km/h.
• On Sunday, we can expect temperatures to cool slightly with strong north northeasterly winds at 20-25km/h, gusting up to 45km/h.

Incident status/Returning Home 

• While the fire is not expected to reach the community, it has seen minimal growth on the east, and southeast and south sides of the perimeter. We urge people to allow crews to continue working on containing this fire to ensure it remains safe as residents return to the community.
• When returning home, avoid the wildfire-affected areas as falling trees, continued heat on the ground and ash pits are real hazards.
• There may be fire crews near the airstrip working on completing some mop-up tasks. Please give them the space they need to work.
• There is still equipment in the community that will be demobilized. Please stay clear so crews and workers can deliver this equipment to other wildfires in the territory.
• You may still see some fire activity and smoke in the distance or along the Tlicho All-Season Road. The fire is not under control, but the areas which most threaten the community are contained.
• You will likely notice the landscape looking different. This can be difficult, but forests will regrow and thrive after wildfires.
• A huge shoutout to all the firefighters, pilots and other essential workers who stayed in Whatı̀ to ensure its protection. Residents would not be coming home if it weren’t for your efforts.

Incident actions

• As a precaution, crews are maintaining structure protection at the community’s edge and around residential areas – with sprinklers being run periodically throughout the day to ensure the system is ready to run.
• Mopping up the fire perimeter will continue to ensure the break will hold. Crews will continue to soak any identified hotspots.
• Demobilization of equipment and firefighting resources has begun.