Blazes in Northern Ontario are depending on help from across the country, including the NWT, to put the fire out.
Five four-person fire crews and one three-person fire crews were called from six NWT communities to assist in battling one of 73 wildfires currently consuming forests North of Sudbury, Ont. around the River Valley, Lake Temagami and Lady Evelyn clusters.
Eric Beck , Department of Environment and Natural Resources (ENR) representative in Fort Resolution said crews are undertaking various tasks to control fires.
“(Last week) our crews were using sprinklers to help contain fires on cabins,” said Beck during a phone call last Wednesday. “(A few days later) they joined the line and helped battle the fires head on.”
Crews from Fort Resolution, Fort Simpson, Norman Wells, Sambaa K’e, Fort Smith and Behchoko are expected to return on Friday after 19 days away from the territory.
Beck said it is not uncommon for crews to be called out of the territory to assist the country. Last year fire crews were called to B.C. to assist. In the past Beck said he has been called out to Ontario, Alberta and B.C.
Along with the crews the NWT is also sending 1,000 lengths of fire-hose to assist in taking control of the blaze.
Beck said he is likely to make an appearance near Lake Temagami – where his crew is stationed – as an ENR representative.
The rain in NWT has put a damper on any severe threat of a forest fire so far this season.
Fort Smith mayor, Lynn Napier-Buckley said the South Slave region has seen it's share of dry summers and believes the town's representatives will show the same world-class attitude when fighting fires in Ontario.
“I'm very proud of the work our fire-fighters are doing,” said Napier-Buckley. “We know how serious these fires can be, so if we can help people who are in similar situations we need to be able to do that.”
Crews will be back on Friday for mandatory rest days and could be called out to Ontario again for service.