The weather forecast for this week poses a risk that an already out-of-control wildfire near Edzo could worsen, according to the GNWT.
The community has consequently been placed on evacuation notice.
As for the fire itself, it is still relatively small, about 200 hectares in size, based on the last time NWT Fire assessed it on July 1. It is burning about 17 km from Behchoko.
That said, strong winds could make matters worse.
"Today, we expect sustained winds of 20-30 km/h, gusting between 35 and 50 km/h from the north, shifting west this afternoon which could push fire to the south and towards Marian Lake," reads the NWT Fire's Tuesday afternoon update on the situation. "[It is] very dry with relative humidities – the level of moisture in the air – reaching between 20 and 30 per cent; levels which could support significant fire activity."
Strong winds can fan spot fires, which started by embers blowing through the air ahead of initial fire, their report explains. Officials are keeping an eye on parts of Marian Lake, and spot fires across Frank Channel are a secondary concern, NWT Fire added.
Lightning sparked the fire on the west shores of Marian Lake at the end of June. Though fire crews made efforts to dampen it right away, extreme weather conditions led to the fire escaping.
There are currently three fire crews, one helicopter and an airtanker assigned to this fire.
The main goal for NWT Fire is to hold back southerly growth of this blaze as much as possible ahead of west winds expected Wednesday.