Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am pleased to advise Members today that the Norman Wells fire continues to be held and the fire guards are well secured. As I told you yesterday, crews have been back burning at Vermilion Creek for the past several days. That task is now generally completed, and the wildfire and back burns have met in some spots. With the changing weather conditions, it is difficult to predict when the fire might be out.
Mr. Speaker, the community leaders and crews who have worked on the fires deserve a lot of credit. I am especially pleased that we have managed both the Fort Norman and Norman Wells fire situations with the crews and equipment we already have on contract. As I have said before, these are largely our own people and resources. So far, we have done the job without bringing in a lot of southern equipment and experts.
I am optimistic that I can continue to bring good news on these fires but stress that the entire western Arctic is extremely hot, with very little rain predicted.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.