12 new forest fires reported in N.W.T.'s Dehcho region
3 active North Slave fires could affect Highway 3 traffic
The N.W.T.'s forest fire count is up to 40 today, with half of those burning in the Dehcho region.
Twelve new fires were reported in the Dehcho region in the past 24 hours, bringing the number of active fires in the region to 20. One of those new fires is a 20-hectare blaze burning 32 kilometres from Trout Lake.
"There was a lot of activity happening yesterday," said Dennis Deneron of Trout Lake.
He says crews have been working several fires around the community over the past couple of days.
"Helicopters, planes and crews coming in from Liard and I believe there's a crew from Fort Resolution, Simpson and Wrigley fighting the fires here."
Deneron says the smoke isn't too bad, as the wind is blowing away from the community.
Fire crews have also been taking limited action near Fort Simpson, where a 1,500 hectare fire is burning 60 kilometres from the community.
There are three active fires in the North Slave region.
The N.W.T. Department of Transportation says smoky conditions from these fires near Highway 3 between Behchoko and Fort Providence could close the road at any time with little notice.