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City of Yellowknife to announce fire ban today

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The Awry Lake wildfire 41 km outside of Yellowknife had grown to 4,084 hectares on July 27. Photo Courtesy of Amber Simpson

NNSL Media has learned that the City of Yellowknife will announce a fire ban today as the first real heat wave of the summer descends on the North.

With a long-weekend coming up, the city is aiming to take precautions to avoid the spread of wildfires in the area.

Sources that NNSL Media have reached out to say officials are concerned that as people have been in self-isolation during the Covid-19 pandemic, they could be more anxious to get outside. This may increase the risk for human-caused fires in the area.

In May, the city presented an assessment of the wildfire situation within municipal boundaries and it was noted that Natural Resources Canada had been predicting that much of Western and Northern Canada would see forest fire severity at a “well above average level” this summer.

The city's fire ban is expected to be in place until further notice.

Last year, the City of Yellowknife put a fire ban in on July 19 but lifted it a week later. 

An out of control wildfire had been spreading northwest of the city  due to lightning but does not threaten municipal property.

NNSL Media reached out to NWT Fire on Thursday evening but was unable to make contact immediately.

This story will be updated as more information is provided.