Controlled burn planned after fire north of Behchokǫ̀ moves 15 km

A lightning-caused fire first reported on July 3 is now 13 km north of Behchokǫ̀ after it moved 15 km on Wednesday night, though it isn’t threatening the community, NWT Fire said.

In a Thursday update, the territory’s wildfire agency said northwest winds had pushed the fire closer to the community. The burn area is now 42,245 hectares in size.

NWT Fire said it is planning a controlled burn of old growth north of Russell Channel on Friday afternoon to remove fuel between the fire, which is known as ZF028, and Behchokǫ̀.

“This is a proactive tactic and residents should not be alarmed. However, smoke will be visible,” NWT Fire stated.

Fire ZF028 was previously 28 km from Behchokǫ̀. NWT Fire had stated in wildfire updates from August 7 until August 16 that crews were demobilizing from the fire thanks to “successful ignition operations.”

In an August 17 update, NWT did not include that language regarding demobilizing, instead noting crews were scanning for hot spots.

Heading into the weekend, fire danger for Behchokǫ̀ is considered very high on Friday and high on Saturday and Sunday.

There are around 230 active fires burning in the NWT. A recent update on the 2026 wildfire season provided by the federal government said likely lower precipitation in the NWT in August means fire danger will continue into September.

Fire SS052, burning 20 km southeast of Fort Resolution and first reported on August 13, has now been classified as under control and NWT Fire said crews are demobilizing equipment.

Fire FS015 north of Wrigley, which triggered a month-long evacuation, met containment objectives on the southern flank – the side of the fire closest to Wrigley – on August 2 and crews are demobilizing from this fire as well.

NWT Fire said crews working on fire FS037, north of the N’Dulee Crossing – a ferry on the highway between Wrigley and Fort Simpson – are focusing on structure protection, “deploying sprinklers and preparing sites to manage this fire for the remainder of the summer.”

Crews on fires FS014 and FS016 continue to manage hotspots within Fort Simpson, NWT Fire said. The agency said smoke from three fires burning east of Fort Simpson on the far side of the Mackenzie River “may impact” the community, and fire crews are deploying sprinklers and preparing site to prevent structure loss.