Fort Smith, N.W.T., downgraded to evacuation notice as nearby wildfire now being held
N.W.T. gov't says fire is suspected to have been human-caused
A wildfire on the east end of Fort Smith, N.W.T., is now being held by fire crews and an evacuation alert has been downgraded to an evacuation notice.
In an update at 8:15 p.m. Saturday, the Town of Fort Smith wrote on Facebook that fire crews have made "significant progress" on the blaze, which was earlier reported to be about four hectares in size.
An evacuation notice means there isn't an immediate threat, but people should be prepared just in case.
"[Environment and Climate Change] will continue to monitor the situation this evening, and crews will return tomorrow to address remaining hot spots," the town wrote.
An emergency alert initially went out publicly to phones just before 6 p.m. Saturday. In an email on Saturday, N.W.T. Fire wrote that the wildfire was burning near Primrose and Carl Drive.
N.W.T. Fire said it is suspected to be person-caused.
It said multiple fire crews from Fort Smith and the N.W.T. government were "aggressively" attacking the fire, with two helicopters dropping water on it and two bulldozers working to contain it.
Crews were also putting up structure protection to protect nearby homes.