Evacuation alert for Jean Marie River, N.W.T. downgraded to evacuation notice
First Nation says residents should still be prepared in case conditions change
Residents in Jean Marie River, N.W.T. no longer have to be ready for a potential evacuation after the community downgraded its evacuation alert to an evacuation notice Saturday afternoon.
In a Facebook post, the First Nation said the risk of a nearby wildfire fire has lessened.
The community was put on evacuation alert on July 7, advising people to prepare in case they had to leave on short notice. According to the N.W.T. fire map on Saturday afternoon, the wildfire is about 24 kilometres northwest of the community.
In an update Saturday night, N.W.T. Fire said that wildfire crews and airtankers are continuing to keep the fire from spreading toward the community, including two fire crews of 11 firefighters working on the south side of the fire closest to the community.
On Thursday morning, N.W.T. Fire information officer Charles Poon said rain had helped prevent the fire from moving closer to the community and that a large sprinkler system had been set up around Jean Marie River.
The evacuation notice indicates that there is an increased risk to the community.
Jean Marie River First Nation is asking residents to be aware that conditions could change and to follow the Facebook page for updates.