Wildfire between Enterprise and Hay River ‘quickly under control’

NWT Fire says a holdover fire between Enterprise and Hay River has been discovered and “quickly brought under control.”

The fire, which has burned through the winter since 2023, was about seven kilometers north-northeast of Enterprise and 27 km south of Hay River, the territory’s wildfire agency said, on the east side of the river.

“The team quickly brought it under control after discovery today. No communities, cabins, or infrastructure are at risk,” NWT Fire stated.

That fire is the fifth of 2024. Earlier on Sunday, NWT Fire said this year’s third and fourth wildfires were identified in the Dehcho. Both were also fires from last year that smoldered through the winter.

The agency said all three fires were discovered through infrared scanning, which is being used to patrol the perimeters of last year’s fires and look for areas still giving off heat.

Of the Dehcho fires, fire FS001 is near the east shore of Tetcho Lake, just under 30 km east of Sambaa K’e. Fire FS002 is around 23 km southwest of Fort Liard, on the far side of the Liard River.

Both fires are less than a hectare in size. In each case, a crew has been assigned to put out the fire.

NWT Fire says neither fire is any risk to communities, cabins or infrastructure.

The first two fires of 2024 in the NWT were identified northwest of Fort Smith and were also holding over from last year. Both are now out, NWT Fire said on Sunday evening.