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Paddlers on a leg of the annual Trails of Our Ancestors canoe trip have been evacuated to safety after encountering a wildfire, the Tłı̨chǫ Government says.
Trails of Our Ancestors sees Tłı̨chǫ members retrace the trading, hunting and trapping trails of previous generations. This year, 28 canoes and more than 160 paddlers are taking part.
In a Monday statement posted to Meta’s channels, the Tłı̨chǫ Government said a group of 42 people who left Gamètì in seven canoes had “encountered a wildfire in the early hours of August 3.”
There are currently two wildfires burning north-northwest of Gamètì and others burning farther to the southeast, at the far end of Faber Lake. Which fire the group encountered was not immediately known. The usual canoe route heads south across Faber Lake from Gamètì toward Behchokǫ̀.
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A “planned ignition” had also taken place on Saturday, which NWT Fire said had helped to establish a fuel break between Gamètì and fire ZF039 to the north.
Two helicopter companies, Great Slave and Acasta, were involved in bringing people to safety.
“The group quickly gathered what they could and paddled north to safety, where they awaited evacuation. Some were able to return to Gamètì before smoke conditions worsened. Others were flown to the Edzo airport and transported to Behchokǫ̀,” the Tłı̨chǫ Government stated.
“Participants are now staying with family or friends in Behchokǫ̀ and Yellowknife, while a few are in hotels until it is safe to return home.”
Other legs of the Trails of Our Ancestors trip are continuing.
A group of 66 people from Wekweètì is “doing well” but has been delayed by a couple of days due to low water, the Tłı̨chǫ Government said, while another group was scheduled to depart Whatì as planned on Monday.
Groups are due to arrive in Behchokǫ̀ this coming weekend ahead of an annual gathering.
The Tłı̨chǫ Government said the Gamètì paddlers had all been safely moved away from the wildfire. No injuries were reported.
“We know this sudden turn of events may have been difficult, and we’re proud of the strength and calm shown by the Gamètì group,” the statement concluded.
