YELLOWKNIFE (OCTOBER 4, 2022, 11:15AM) – During a reconnaissance flight on October 3, 2022, the Government of the Northwest Territories discovered a cabin has unfortunately been lost due to wildfire.
The cabin was on the southeast section of wildfire SS069, which sparked about 40km northeast of Fort Smith. The individual who owns the cabin has been notified.
This was due to a combination of extreme winds and dry conditions unusual for the season. This caused the fire to flare up and take a significant run on the south flank.
The fire continues to be active. We have dispatched a team to install structure protection, including sprinklers, surrounding other cabins in the vicinity of the fire.
This kind of activity is extraordinary for this time of year. The NWT is facing down one of the longest periods of continuous wildfire activity in decades – with drier forests and persistently elevated temperatures.
Fire danger is expected to remain high or extreme at all monitoring stations in the South Slave, and many stations in the Dehcho and North Slave regions over the next 3 days.
These conditions may lead existing wildfires to grow further.
Our wildfire team continues to monitor wildfires closely, and will action those which threaten values – like cabins, infrastructure, and communities – when possible.
These conditions also mean everyone needs to remain especially vigilant when using fire on the land in the central or southern portions of the territory.
We never want to see folks lose things in fires. These values are important to people’s livelihoods and wellness.
That’s why our wildfire team works tirelessly to do whatever is possible to protect structures, while ensuring safety of responders and protection of communities season after season.
The unfortunate reality is that they will not be able to protect every value all the time. In the NWT, we’re in a landscape where fire is the most important natural force with things we value dotting that landscape. These losses will happen.
It is on everyone to act to reduce their risk and protect their homes, cabins, and camps. The way to do that is to get FireSmart before fire comes.
FireSmart at your home, cabin, or business looks like removing things that can burn from around structures, and building with fire resistance in mind. Many of the steps are simple and inexpensive – and they are proven to work.
We urge everyone in the NWT, especially those with cabins or businesses out in the bush, to take steps to make their place more FireSmart before wildfire season begins in May.
There are resources to help get started online.
- Online FireSmart guide
- Last Minute Wildfire Checklist video
- Last Minute Wildfire Printable Checklist
- FireSmart home assessment
For more information
Mike Westwick
Wildfire Information Officer
Environment and Natural Resources
Government of the Northwest Territories