Fire crosses containment line outside Fort Good Hope

(Photo submitted by Spencer Porter based in Fort Good Hope.)
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The fire burning outside Fort Good Hope has crossed a portion of the containment line set up by fire officials on north side near the Rabbit Skin River. The risk level is stable. A CAT guard was put in place in the north towards the Rabbit Skin River (Hare Indian River). Airtankers and crews were able bring them under control late yesterday evening. A fire perimeter scan is planned to identify undetected hotspots.

A CAT guard is where heavy equipment is used to clear fuels from a space to help create a zone that can potentially slow down the spread of an incoming fire. It is often followed by crews who will remove anything else flammable from the line by hand. The one set up also had sprinklers running along the length of it to the Rabbit Skin River (Hare Indian River).

Shannon Graf, the information/Liaison Office for Fort Good Hope wildfires, says despite the fire jumping the containment line, there are no current confirmed reports of structural loss.

Airtankers and crews are actioning the hotspots that have crossed the containment line. Flare-ups and hot spots are expected with the current hot and dry weather; crews and air support have been monitoring the lines and actioning incursions.

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A wireless public alert was issued at 6:28 p.m. by the GNWT, ordering the evacuation of remaining Fort Good Hope residents. Logistics planning is underway, and we expect to hear more.

Community engagement and evacuee outreach occurs twice daily with fire updates and maps provided including interpretation in the local Indigenous language.

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