Fire bans are back in Hay River and Fort Simpson as dry conditions have forced an abundance of caution in both communities.
"Due to the current Environment and Climate Change fire rating risk and expected weather conditions with a lack of rain, a full fire ban is in place until further notice," wrote the Town of Hay River on Aug. 25. "No fire permits will be issued and open fires are not allowed."
Similar restrictions have also been put in place in Fort Simpson, though with a noted exception for traditional activities that require fire, such as tanning hides.
Contained propane-fuelled fires, such as a CSA-approved barbecue, are also still permitted in the Fort Simpson area, though the municipality advised that any permissible burnings should be "used with extreme caution."
"Please note that the fire ban applies to all outdoor areas within the municipal boundaries of the Village of Fort Simpson, including private properties, parks,
recreational areas and open spaces," the municipality stated. "Ignoring fire ban restrictions constitutes an offence of Village Bylaw 504 and carries charges of up to $500. We will continue to monitor the fire conditions closely and provide updates regarding the status of the fire ban."
Under the order, the use of fireworks, open-pit flames and outdoor wood-burning stoves are banned until further notice.
While NWT Fire says it is actioning a 0.2 hectare wildfire some 22 kilometres north of Fort Simpson, the agency notes that there are no threats to Fort Simpson or Hay River at this time.
However, the GNWT cautions that drought conditions throughout the southern portion of the territory have raised the fire risk greatly and advise 黑料吃瓜网ers to exercise extreme caution.
The extreme fire danger rating in Fort Simpson and Hay River is expected to remain until at least the end of the week.
Elsewhere in the territory, Yellowknife, Behchoko and Norman Wells are all also listed as being in extreme fire danger until the at least Friday.
Smoke from current NWT wildfires is expected to flow eastwards towards Nunavut, the website FireSmoke.ca reports.
