Wildfire near Fort Liard, N.W.T. now under control, officials say

Residents of Fort Liard, N.W.T., spent nearly two weeks in May under an evacuation notice due to a possible threat from a nearby wildfire.  (Anna Desmarais/CBC  - image credit)
Residents of Fort Liard, N.W.T., spent nearly two weeks in May under an evacuation notice due to a possible threat from a nearby wildfire. (Anna Desmarais/CBC - image credit)

N.W.T. fire officials say that a wildfire burning southwest of Fort Liard, N.W.T., is now under control after a month-long effort to tame it.

In an update on Sunday, N.W.T. fire said firefighters said that crews from across the N.W.T., Yukon and New Brunswick had aided the effort.

Crews managed to clear fuel and protect the full edge on the west side of the Liard River, the service said.

The fire was burning up to four feet into the ground in places, and was held at 19 kilometres from the community.

Fort Liard residents were warned on May 10 that they may need to evacuate as the fire grew closer to the community.

The hamlet lifted the evacuation notice on May 22.