Edzo, N.W.T., residents asked to be prepared in case of emergency over nearby wildfire

Residents of Edzo, N.W.T., are being asked to prepare for a possible emergency because of a nearby lightning-caused fire.

The Behchok community government issued an evacuation notice Tuesday morning over the fire burning near Marian Lake Village, 18 kilometres north of Behchok's airport.The evacuation notice doesn't mean people have to leave just that they should be prepared in case the wildfire gets closer.

An update from N.W.T. FireTuesday afternoon also said"there is a risk that this wildfire impacts Behchoko at Edzo" within the next 12 to 48 hours, based on weather conditions and fire activity.

An evacuation notice comes before an evacuation alert and an evacuation order. Only an evacuation order means people need to leave.

20 new ignitions in 48 hours

Wildfire information officer Mike Westwicktold CBCa hot and dry weekend across the N.W.T. saw "very, very heavy fire activity," with 20 new ignitions in 48 hours.

Westwick said wind over the next few days is a significant concern for managing the fire near Edzo. Winds on Tuesday are expected to gust between 35 and 50 kilometres from the north, shifting west in the afternoon, which could push the fire south towardMarian Lake.

"The greatest concern is continued north winds, followed up by winds from the west, or spot fires ... across parts of Marian Lake could cause threat to Behchoko (Edzo)," the update said.

The lightning-caused fire began on the west shores of Marian Lake near Marian Lake Village on Sunday.

Westwick also said there was an apparent person-caused fire on an island on Great Slave Lakenear Dettahover the weekend, where a cabin was lost to the fire.