Northwest Territories community told to keep an eye on nearby wildfire

FORT SMITH, N.W.T. – Residents in Fort Smith, N.W.T., are being told to be prepared for a possible evacuation should there be a change in circumstances surrounding a wildfire in the area.

According to a notice on the town’s website, the four-hectare fire is currently being held and is not posing an immediate threat to the community of 2,400.

The fire has been burning between five and eight kilometres south of Fort Smith, but if the wind shift north, it could put residents at increased risk.

Those who might have to drive out of the region on short notice are being told to keep their gas tanks three-quarters full.

The government of Alberta, Parks Canada, and the N.W.T. departments of environment and natural resources are all responding to the blaze.