Wildfire crews are busy this afternoon battling a fire on the north side of the Slave River.
NWT Fire reported that flames were spotted Wednesday afternoon around 20 km from Fort Smith. It's currently estimated to be seven hectares in size and is burning out of control as of 4:30 p.m.
NWT Fire spokesperson Charles Poon stated that air tankers are making drops to try and slow the fire's growth with two crews and a helicopter also working to try and stop the flames from spreading as well as preventing any threats to cabins in the area.
Poon added that right now, there is no threat to any community or infrastructure and that smoke could possibly be seen in the town of Fort Smith itself.
Fire conditions are listed as extreme right now in the North Slave, South Slave and Dehcho regions with the air being very dry and no humidity and temperatures rising since yesterday.
Strong, gusty winds in all three regions are expected and the overnight temperatures could be in the 18-to-20 C range, added Poon.
There is a risk of lightning outbreaks across all three regions, which could lead to the start of new fires.
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