Sambaa K'e not in immediate risk of wildfire, says N.W.T. Fire, after evacuation alert

N.W.T. Fire says it does not feel the community of Sambaa K'e is in immediate danger of a wildfire.

A spokesperson for the fly-in Dehcho community of about 100 people told CBC on Friday that they had issued an evacuation alert. 

The closest fire is about 30 kilometres southwest of the community. N.W.T. Fire said Thursday afternoon that fire crews were setting up sprinkler systems around cabins in the area.

Deanna Jumbo, the band office receptionist, confirmed to CBC that the alert has been issued on Friday morning. Band leaders planned to meet on Friday to go over their evacuation plan.

N.W.T. community governments issue notices, alerts and orders. An evacuation alert does not mean people have to leave the town at this time. However, they should get ready in case the alert is upgraded to an order.

The N.W.T. government's wildfire map showed three fires burning south of Sambaa K'e as of Friday. Two were listed as smaller in size — 15 hectares and 0.5 hectares — while the one closest to the community was listed at 500 hectares. All were started by lightning and listed as out-of-control.

Mike Westwick, manager of wildfire prevention and mitigation for the N.W.T. government, told CBC News Friday afternoon that they don't feel the community is at imminent risk, in part due to how much of the surrounding area was burned during the 2023 wildfires. 

"[There is] very little fuel left to work with there," he said. "So there's a lot of protective elements that are working in Sambaa K'e's favour."

Westwick said that as the fire starts to work its way into that old burn, it'll slow down or stop completely. 

While N.W.T. Fire isn't recommending an evacuation alert, he said communities consider many factors when deciding what's best for their residents. He said their regional duty officer is in consistent contact with community leadership there.

"Local folks are going to make decisions that are in the best interest of their people," Westwick said. 

"But certainly the advice that we've provided to the folks in Sambaa K'e is that we don't see any immediate threat from this wildfire and certainly are going to do everything we can to protect values out there."

Jay Boast, an information officer for the territorial government's emergency management organization, said the community did not ask the territorial government to issue an evacuation alert.

"It is our understanding that in response to fires and local smoke in the area, yesterday, the community went door-to-door to advise residents of the current status and to suggest they be prepared," he said in an email to CBC late Friday.

"The [territorial government] is in regular communication with community staff as recently as today."

He said Fort Simpson is identified as the host community for Sambaa K'e in the event that residents need to evacuate.