Active wildfires close Highway 7 at N.W.T-B.C. border
CBC
Active wildfires have closed Highway 7 at the N.W.T. and British Columbia border, the territory's Department of Infrastructure said on Friday.
The department said residents and those travelling should know that conditions in the area can change with little to no warning and to expect smoky conditions that creates poor visibility in this area.
Resident should also stay out of the bush in the areas surrounding Highway 7.
"High winds are expected to continue through this region. Under these conditions, there is a high chance of treefall - which is a serious danger to those on the land," the update said.
An evacuation alert has also been issued by the Northern Rockies Regional Municipality for the area stretching from southeast to the northwest of Fort Nelson, B.C.
This is from two threatening fires located near Nogah Creek and Patry Creek.
Further north, the NWT Fire map lists a different overwintering fire 23 kilometres southwest of Fort Liard. The fire is six hectares in size. NWT Fire posted on Facebook Thursday that crews are responding to the fire, but that its activity picked up significantly and with heavy winds forecasted, it could grow.
"The winds in particular around that fire .... are expected to be very high," said wildfire information officer Mike Westwick
"The team's been doing really good work to cut off potential for growth there but these wind events can be challenging, so we really need people to do everything they can to prevent new fires from getting on the landscape."
Westwick said there's currently no risk to people and properties.
The Facebook post says that winds are expected to come from the southwest through the Fort Liard area, which could cause fires to grow to the north and east.
The post also warns that smoke could be visible in the community.
NWT Fire is warning that with extreme winds and dry conditions, extreme fire activity could be sparked in the South Slave and Dehcho.
NWT Fire warns that winds could gust from 50 to 85 km an hour.