Fort Liard has been placed on evacuation notice as a NWT wildfire burning approximately 22 kilometres southwest of Fort Liard has held at seven hectares.

But NWT Fire cautions if the fire breaches containment they won't be able to attack it directly anymore.

An update was released by NWT Fire at 1 p.m., May 10 and the evacuation notice was issued by the NWT Public Safety website at 1:35 p.m.

"Heavy winds entering the area beginning this afternoon may challenge containment efforts," said NWT wildfire information officer Shannon Graf. "If the fire breaks through containment, direct action will not be possible under these conditions to protect the safety of responders. With this in mind, sprinklers are being deployed in the community of Fort Liard as a precaution and preparedness measure.

"Additional firefighters have arrived in area to assist in setting up structure protection. They are focused on critical infrastructure and the communitySA¹ú¼ÊÓ°ÊÓ´«Ã½™s periphery to discourage potential structure ignitions should the fire approach the community. At this time, this is a precaution.

"While the community is not at threat right now, there is the possibility that may change under heavy winds should the fire escape containment."

Air support is still underway when safety allows.

An evacuation notice means that residents should prepared for potential evacuation order. That means keeping vehicles fueled, having an emergency kit at the ready, and keeping an ear to community government for updates or further instructions.