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Heavy rain dampens number of wildland fires

Heavy rainfall this season has dampened the prevalence of wildfires in the territory.

As of July 9, there had been 21 wildland fires in the Northwest Territories this spring and summer.

The count up to early July saw eleven fires in the Deh Cho region, one in the Inuvik area, three in the Sahtu and six in the South Slave region. Up to that time no fires had been reported in the North Slave. NNSL file photo

This number is "definitely below average" for early July, said Amber Simpson, wildland prevention co-ordinator with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

She said for the last 25 years, there has been an average of 79 fires burning at this time of year.

The volume of rain is "probably the biggest factor," contributing to the relatively low number of fires, said department spokesperson Dawn Curtis.

Simpson said the 21 fires had burned through 2,648 hectares.

Eleven fires were in the Deh Cho region, one was in the Inuvik area, three were in the Sahtu and six were in the South Slave region.

There had not been any fires reported in the North Slave region.

Recently, lightning ignited five new fires in the South Slave region, one of which was about 45 km southwest of Enterprise and about three kilometres west of the Mackenzie Highway.

"This fire is under control and has two crews working on it," said Simpson.

"They've been working on it pretty hard and I think they're going to be finishing up hopefully today or tomorrow," she added.

Another fire, about 70 km north of Fort Providence, was being monitored and was not considered a risk to the community.

The three other fires were put out by fire crews.

Simpson said two fires in the Deh Cho were being reassessed that day.

A heat warning was in effect on July 9 for the Deh Cho, Hay River, Thebacha and North Slave regions, meaning temperatures were expected to hit 29 C and above.

Simpson could not say whether the heat would exacerbate the fire situation.

She said lightning caused a vast majority of the fires, with two having been started by people.

Those two fires happened in the Deh Cho at the beginning of the season and were the result of people burning brush piles, said Simpson.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources regularly posts wildfire updates to its Facebook page.

Simpson said residents who do not have easy access to the internet can get information about the locations of fires from their regional Environment and Natural Resources office, or they can call the fire information line at (867) 445-5484.