Strong northwest winds in the forecast for this weekend could have grave consequences for Yellowknife.

An update was posted to NWT FireSA国际影视传媒檚 website at 11 a.m. Aug. 18.

SA国际影视传媒淭hese fires remain out of control,SA国际影视传媒� reads the notice. SA国际影视传媒淐ritical, challenging days ahead SA国际影视传媒� with two days of northwest to west-northwest winds on Friday and Saturday, which would push fire towards Yellowknife and the Ingraham Trail. Wind expected to range from 25-35 km/h sustained, gusting up to 50 km/h at times. These winds would push both the Behchoko/Yellowknife Fire and the Ingraham Trail to the east and south SA国际影视传媒� which is where we donSA国际影视传媒檛 want them to be. Clearer skies this morning should allow flights.

SA国际影视传媒淣ew forecasts indicate possibility for some rain SA国际影视传媒� between 1-3 mm at the Behchoko/Yellowknife fire and 3-5 mm at the Ingraham Trail and Dettah fires over the next 24 hours. As always, we canSA国际影视传媒檛 always count on the rain falling in the right places.SA国际影视传媒�

Behchoko/Yellowknife Fire ZF015 is now 166,946 hectares in size, has passed Boundary Creek and now sits 15 km Northwest of Yellowknife Municipal Boundary. The closest marker on how the fire has progressed along the highway is Kilometre 314.

As of current, Behchoko itself is not considered under threat. However, the fire could still reach the city of Yellowknife by the weekend if conditions do not improve.

SA国际影视传媒淭here is a possibility that this fire reaches the outskirts of Yellowknife by the weekend driven by these northwest and west-northwest winds,SA国际影视传媒� the notice advises. SA国际影视传媒淪uccessful firefighting efforts have held back progression meaningfully over the last two days.

SA国际影视传媒淩emember SA国际影视传媒� just because fire reaches the highway or is nearby does not necessarily mean it is unsafe. Highway managers are piloting drivers through fire zones to assure safe travel for evacuees and will be sure drivers are going through tough conditions safely.

SA国际影视传媒淎irtankers will continue to fly missions day and night to slow this fire down as it is pushed towards the City of Yellowknife by northwest winds. Buildings more than 10km of control line to the west of Yellowknife SA国际影视传媒� with crews cutting line, heavy equipment expanding upon them, and fire retardant. Structure protection teams are at work on Highway 3 to prevent losses as possible SA国际影视传媒� moving closer to Yellowknife day-by-day.

SA国际影视传媒淎n expansive network of fuel breaks, sprinklers, and other protective measures are being put in place by the City of Yellowknife and our team to prepare should the fire approach the community.

SA国际影视传媒淲e continue to maintain structure protection along Highway 3 SA国际影视传媒� moving further down the highway closer to Yellowknife day by day. Crews continue mopping up around Behchoko and addressing any hotspots.SA国际影视传媒�

Ingraham Trail Fire ZF011 is now 50,101 hectares in size. It is currently 4 km north of Prelude Lake, 9 km northeast of Prosperous Lake, 9 km northeast of River Lake, 10.5 km north of KM 34 on the Ingraham Trail and has reached the shores of Neck Lake, Island Lake and the Duncan Dam.

Three structures have been lost to the Ingraham Trail Fire to date.

SA国际影视传媒淢inimal growth on this fire SA国际影视传媒� in part due to successful firefighting efforts as visibility allowed more missions to be flown by heavy helicopters and airtankers. There is threat to all areas in the Ingraham Trail. Reaching the Ingraham Trail remains possible this weekend SA国际影视传媒� though likely not today due to the successful firefighting efforts. Helicopters and airtankers will hit targets day and night to slow the growth of this fire as visibility allows.

SA国际影视传媒淎 retardant line has been established to the south of the fire to facilitate future ignition operations, slow growth, and provide a critical base of operations for crews.

SA国际影视传媒淪tructure protection is underway SA国际影视传媒� crews are assessing options for protections at the north of Prosperous Lake, north of Prelude Lake, and River Lake. Many individuals heeded the call to take action in these areas SA国际影视传媒� we applaud everyone who has been proactive.

SA国际影视传媒淔urther ignition operations SA国际影视传媒� carefully planned, intentionally set fire to head off potential growth to the south being planned and prepared for. These will only go ahead if conditions allow SA国际影视传媒� and winds will not allow them to be done for the next few days.SA国际影视传媒�

Dettah Fire ZF085 is now 48,961 hectares in size. It is 29km southeast of Dettah, 7 km south of Jennejohn Lake and has reached the shores of Defeat Lake and Watta Lake and Hearne Lake.

SA国际影视传媒滵ettah, Ndilo, Yellowknife, and the Ingraham Trail are not currently at risk due to this fire. Number one priority is working hand-in-hand with the Yellowknives Dene First Nation to prepare protections for Dettah. The fire has not reached Jennejohn Lake. With expected winds, it is not expected to do so in the coming days. The planned ignition operation has been delayed for the time being. Structure protection teams have assessed and sprinklered numerous cabins and other structures to the east of this fire in anticipation of the strong west winds.

SA国际影视传媒�(We are) working closely with the Yellowknives Dene First Nation on proactive community protections including: Community-led deployment of a sprinkler line SA国际影视传媒� with advice provided by the wildfire team, deploying a high volume water protection system to the community to bolster those protections and structure protection team continues to assess and prioritize protection of cabins and homes.SA国际影视传媒�