2024 Fire and Flood Season Preparedness

The Town of Hay River and the Local Emergency Management Organization (LEMO) in consultation with various GNWT departments has been actively preparing for the upcoming fire and flood season through several preparedness and mitigation initiatives to support citizen safety.

• The Town of Hay River has participated in several organizations’ after-action reviews and will participate in GNWT’s larger 2023 wildfire independent review scheduled for May. The public will be asked to provide their input as part of the review, with more details to follow.
• The Town of Hay River Community Emergency Management Plan has been updated by the Local Emergency Management Committee and partner agencies and will be brought to the Regular Meeting of Council on Monday, April 8, 2024.
• A public communication plan has been developed with property, evacuation, and personal preparedness information to be released through numerous channels ahead of and throughout the high-risk season.
• A Public Preparedness meeting is being planned for some time in April that will provide an overview of flood and wildfire risks and outline fire and flood preparedness activities for residents and property owners.
• An enhanced fire smarting program is being developed. Hay River citizens should see information coming to them shortly.  The Town will be working with the department of Environment and Climate Change to update the Community Wildfire Protection Plan.
• Emergency Plan and Incident Command System training as well as tabletop exercises are being provided to organizations that have a role in emergency planning and response.
• Meetings with key partner agencies to discuss roles and responsibilities around evacuation and other emergency procedures are underway.
• The main firebreak doubled in size during the last fire event. The firebreak extends on the west side of Hay River from the Don Wright ballpark to just past the Hay River Regional Health Centre and will be permanently maintained at its current size.  Additionally, the cut lines created during the last event are intended to be integrated into the current snowmobile trail system and will provide easier access in an emergency event.
• Riverview Drive was elevated during recent upgrades to provide an improved flood barrier. The natural areas on the river side of the same roadway have had extensive fire smarting done by reducing fuel sources.
• The berm in the West Channel community will be upgraded this year to provide improved protection throughout the length of the community. This has been funded by the Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund grant and is a partnership project with the West Point First Nation.
• Paradise Road has been repositioned within the legal road easement. Landscaping, drainage, and bank assessments are planned in 2024.
• Design work to upgrade the drainage and elevation of Airport Road has been completed. A grant application is in place for funding for the project with an anticipated announcement later this year.
• Lift Station 1 repair and flood mitigation project design is underway with tendering for construction scheduled for this year.
• Drainage maintenance and preparedness is underway with storm system backflow devices to be installed in 2024.
• Updated flood mapping work that will influence land development and housing construction standards is underway with expected flood risk/probability maps to be drafted this year.
• The sandbagging program will once again be offered to residents and property owners within the community.
• Evacuee hosting procedures and facilities are being improved to increase capacity. Clean air shelters are being identified.
• Redundant internet services have been installed at Town facilities including the Emergency Operations Centre to increase emergency response communications reliability.
• The LEMO is working with ECC to improve risk notifications ahead of and during events.

Seasonal Risk Forecast The very large natural firebreak created by the 2023 wildfires provides significant protection to the community.  However, drought conditions and persistent winter burns create risks for fires.    It is expected that smoke from Alberta and other regions will cause periods of poor air quality. Record low river basin and lake water levels reduce the current flood risks for Hay River. However, variable precipitation events and the uncertainty of ice jams can still provide conditions for potential flooding. The Town, the Local Emergency Management Organization, and the GNWT will be diligent in monitoring, preparedness, and positioning for any response.  Residents and businesses are reminded of their role in emergency preparedness – adhering to information provided by officials and having a family/organization plan in place.  Details on how to be prepared will be communicated in the near future. Glenn Smith Senior Administrative Officer Local Emergency Management Organization Coordinator