Fort Simpson wildfire remains out-of-control

The fire covers about 11,000 hectares and continues to burn near residential areas.

While no primary homes have been lost, some outbuildings, sheds, and fences have been damaged. The fire is active, with spot fires along Highway 1 and in the Wildrose area, and shifting winds from the north are expected to push flames south, making conditions tough for crews.

Fort Simpson is under a mandatory evacuation order, with residents urged to register at the recreation centre and head to Yellowknife for temporary shelter. Evacuees should bring essentials like medications, ID, and go-bags, and pets must be registered separately. Wrigley has also issued an evacuation order due to smoke and fire risk, though activity there is expected to stay low.

Wildland Urban Interface crews are working around the clock to tackle spot fires, protect buildings, and patrol neighborhoods. The effort includes air tankers, helicopters, 62 wildland firefighters, 54 structure protection staff, and heavy machinery. More teams are on the way to help. Crews have slowed the fire’s growth to the north and east, and are focused on keeping it from reaching the main village.

A cold front is expected to bring northerly winds of about 15 km/h with gusts up to 25–30 km/h, which could affect the fire’s spread. Temperatures are forecast to hit 21°C with humidity as low as 35%, creating conditions that might ramp up fire activity in some areas.

-News97.ca