Almost every North Slave wildfire this summer? Caused by people.

Humans have caused eight of the nine wildfires reported in the region around Yellowknife this summer, NWT Fire says, calling the statistic “shocking.”

Wildfire information officer Mike Westwick said the territory had recorded a “really alarming number and proportion of person-caused fires” so far in 2024, a year after the most devastating fire season in the territorial record led to more than two-thirds of the population having to evacuate.

The Fort Good Hope wildfire that led to the community’s evacuation last weekend was caused by an abandoned campfire.

“Even more shocking,” said Westwick, “two additional person-caused fires started” even as the Fort Good Hope fire was beginning. Both of those fires were quickly dealt with by fire crews.

Overall, NWT Fire has recorded 20 naturally caused wildfires and 16 caused by people so far this summer. (The territory hasn’t suggested any of the human-caused fires were arson. The majority of those fires are listed on NWT Fire’s website as having been caused by campfires or burn piles that were either abandoned or became uncontrollable.)

“Today and tomorrow, we’re in the midst of a fairly large lightning outbreak that’s coming with pretty limited rain,” Westwick told Cabin Radio on Thursday afternoon.

“There are portions of the territory, particularly in the south, where the risk of fire ignition from natural causes is very high, and we’re also expecting to see fire danger be high to extreme at many locations across the territory.

“With a long weekend coming up and lots of people wanting to get out there and celebrate and enjoy the land, we really need to remind people of the importance of keeping those needless human-caused fires off the landscape.”

Referring to this year’s 16 human-caused fires, Westwick said, “Those are all fires that could have been avoided with better decisions out on the land. It’s a very, very simple task to put out your fire and really show some care for your community.”

He urged people who already do take responsibility for fire on the land to lean on others to do better.

“Everybody has a lot of influence within their social groups and, a lot of times, we’re hesitant to step in and correct our friends or family if they’re doing things that might seem careless,” said Westwick.

“But that’s a really powerful thing that you can do. Your voice actually really matters, and if you intervene in situations gently and remind them of things like soaking, stirring and soaking campfires – and the fact that a fire isn’t out until the air above where it was is cool to the touch – you can make a real difference.”