Forest Fires and Smoke

Intermittent smoky conditions have returned to Yellowknife due to forest fire activity throughout the Northwest Territories and western Canada.  Visibility, both horizontal and vertical, can change rapidly in smoke, creating conditions unsuitable for VFR flight.  Pilots are advised to exercise caution in flight planning and to obtain current information as to prevailing conditions and forecasts.

Pursuant to CARS, no unauthorized person is permitted to operate an aircraft over a forest fire area, or over any area located within 5 nautical miles of a forest fire, at an altitude of less than 3,000 feet AGL.  NOTAM’s may be issued when a particular fire requires an abundance of aviation resources to support suppression efforts.  Additional information can be found in the Wildland Fire Airspace brochure published by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.  A copy can be downloaded from the link appearing on our pilot resources page.