With NWT wildfires near Fort Liard knocking out phone and internet services throughout the territory, the GNWT is extending a full fire ban for the Dehcho region effective until at least May 24.
Several announcements were released in the morning of May 11 from the GNWT, the RCMP and Northwestel.
"Wildfires are affecting phone lines in the NWT. Northwestel has advised that wildfire activity near Fort Liard has caused service interruptions throughout the territory," said NT RCMP media relations officer Cpl. Matt Halstead. "Currently, 911 and the emergency RCMP lines are inoperable. If you need the police and are unable to get a hold of your local detachment, please attend in person. Due to the developing situation, we are unable to say which specific local detachment numbers or other phone services are impacted. Updates will be provided in the future."
Northwestel confirmed service disruptions are affecting customers in an email.
"Active fires in the NWT and BC have damaged telecommunications infrastructure, causing a disruption to Internet, Phone and Mobility services in Yukon, northern BC, Mackenzie Valley and Beaufort Delta regions of the NWT," said Northwestel marketing and communications director Catherine Newsome. "We are closely monitoring the situation and working to restore connectivity as soon as possible.
"We are working closely with our partners to gain safe access to the damaged infrastructure to assess the situation. Once we’re able to gain safe access, we can begin repairs. We do not have ETA for repair at this time, customers should plan to be without service for several more hours."
A full fire ban has been put in place for Nahanni Butte, Fort Liard, Fort Simpson, Jean Marie River, Wrigley and Sambaa K’e.
Until further notice, no one in those areas is permitted to start, tend, or use open fire outdoors, including in an open fire pit or burn barrel, discharge firearms with incendiary or tracer ammunition, shoot or detonate exploding targets, shoot fireworks or firecrackers, ignite sky lanterns, ignite signal flare devices or pyrotechnic bear bangers unless in an emergency situation, store flare devices, bear bangers, fireworks or firecrackers in a manner that may cause them to be ignited. All burn permits are temporarily cancelled while the order is in effect. Using fire to exercise Aboriginal or treaty rights by Indigenous peoples is still permitted but anyone doing so is asked to use extreme caution.
Contained fires using stoves or other CSA approved equipment is still allowed.
"These bans are being implemented due to extreme wildfire danger and extraordinary weather conditions," said NWT Wildfire informaion officer Mike Westwick. "These restrictions are intended to help protect communities, values at risk and our wildfire firefighters by limiting avoidable person-caused fires. A forecast wind event in the South Slave and Dehcho region means any new fires on the landscape may grow quickly and threaten people or property; and any fires on the landscape have risk of growing significantly."