'It would be heartbreaking to lose': Wildfire warning issued for people between Behchokǫ̀ and Yellowknife

If you have a cabin or home between kilometres 260 and 300 on the N.W.T.'s Highway 3, the territorial government says you should be ready to leave on short notice.

A wildfire is still burning 10 kilometres north of the highway between Yellowknife and Behchokǫ̀, and N.W.T. Fire said shifting winds could push it toward the road Friday.

Fire information officer Mike Westwick said Friday morning that the team managing this fire is concerned it could grow significantly to the south. That could impact cabins and homeowners in the area, and make it very difficult to see on the highway. 

There is no risk for Behchokǫ̀ or Yellowknife right now, but Westwick said there could be risk to properties if the fire does make a run south.

"There are a number of folks who live or have cabins along that highway," he said.

One of those cabins belongs to William Greenland and his partner Gina Migwi. 

The pair started packing family photos and other valuables on Friday after hearing of the possible evacuation. 

"We haven't even thought about it until this morning," said Greenland, later on Friday. 

He said they didn't believe the fire would make it close to their cabin. 

"But we can't think like that anymore. It could happen to anybody. It could happen to us."

On Friday, an orange haze blanketed the area of the alert. 

Greenland and Migwi have owned their cabin since 2017 and say they've never seen so much smoke in the area. 

They also recently noticed a couple of new additions: two sprinklers attached to the roof by fire crews. 

"They're way ahead of it this time, which I'm really glad when I found out that they had put these up," said Greenland. 

Crews have been installing sprinklers for the past week to try and save structures in the area. 

Over the years, Greenland and Migwi have built several additions onto the cabin and surrounding area: a sauna, bedroom, tipi and workshop. 

"That amount of work into one place, it would be heartbreaking to lose," said Greenland. 

"Whatever happens, it's going to happen. I guess we can't control it."

N.W.T. Fire said air tankers have been working on the south end of the fire to slow it down.

"We're also exploring opportunities for ignition operations to limit the growth of that fire," Westwick said.

He said the fire is about 30 kilometres away from Behchokǫ̀ and one of their priorities is to protect that community. People in Behchokǫ̀ don't need to be on alert right now, but he suggested they stay aware of the fire's situation.

"Take normal precautions, and we'll be working as hard as we can to protect the things that you value out there," he said.

Westwick suggested people in the area should have an emergency kit and essential belongings packed in case they need to leave quickly.

If the fire does go south, Westwick said N.W.T. Fire is going to be working with its emergency management partners to notify people on the ground. They will also use the N.W.T.'s alert system.

Highway 3 is still open to traffic as of Friday morning, but Westwick said conditions can change "on a moment's notice."

The N.W.T. has a map of highway conditions that will be updated if things change.