'Significant rain' in Hay River, N.W.T., expected to reduce fire activity for next 2 days Social Sharing

 

Warm weather is expected to return and the area remains in an extreme drought

A significant rainfall is reducing fire activity threatening Hay River and K'atl'odeeche First Nation. But fire officials say the risk is still significant as the area remains in a drought and warm temperatures are expected to return. (N.W.T. Fire)

Significant rainfall and favourable winds are expected to reduce the fire risk around Hay River, N.W.T. for the next few days. 

After two days of gusting winds and heat that whipped up the wildfire burning around the community, rain began to fall in Hay River Saturday night.

N.W.T. Fire said Sunday around 8 p.m. that about 20 millimetres of rain fell in the last 24 hours. 

That will help keep fire activity down for the next couple days, but N.W.T. Fire added Hay River is still under an extreme drought and "that there is fire burning deep in the ground." 

"Today is the only rain in the forecast for a long period of time and clearing and warming is expected throughout the week," an update from earlier on Sunday reads. 

There were no new confirmed structure losses Saturday, the update reads.

But N.W.T. Fire says because of the fire's proximity to Hay River and West Point First Nation, the risk remains significant. 

It is currently one kilometre west of Hay River's airport and 500 metres west of the industrial area.