Evacuation notice lifted in Fort Liard, N.W.T., as rain helps reduce wildfire threat

Fort Liard, N.W.T., has lifted an evacuation notice issued earlier this month because of a nearby wildfire. The notice had advised residents to prepare in case they needed to evacuate the hamlet. 

Rainfall over the last 24 hours, and work to eliminate unburned fuel around the fire, are helping to lower risk, according to an update from N.W.T. Fire on Wednesday afternoon. 

An update on the hamlet's website says that the wildfire in the area is no longer an immediate threat, but that "very dry conditions" are expected all summer and residents should stay informed and prepared.

The evacuation notice was issued on May 10. N.W.T. Fire officials then said the fire had jumped the Liard River and put the hamlet at greater risk. But after recon the following morning, they determined the fire had not crossed the river, but had moved to an island.

As of Wednesday, the fire was about 19 kilometres from Fort Liard at its closest point and still deemed out of control. 

N.W.T. Fire says it's working to limit growth on the west side of the Liard River, to prevent the fire from crossing to the east side of the river, and is also preparing structure protection in the community. 

Though the evacuation notice has been lifted, fire information officer Mike Westwick said in Wednesday's update that active firefighting is still underway and residents should not travel through burned areas.

Anyone planning to travel on nearby rivers or lakes should be aware of helicopters that may use the water to fill their buckets and should give them space to do so, officials say. 

Twenty Yukon firefighters joined N.W.T. crews on the fireline Wednesday. 

Westwick said firefighting will focus on taking advantage of the rainy conditions before things dry out again. 

A fire ban issued by the hamlet of Fort Liard continues to be in effect.