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Careless campers at Cameron Lake called ‘incredibly irresponsible’ by NWT Fire
'It is vital to hold yourself, your friends, and your family accountable for practising fire safety on the land,' says spokesperson
Fire crews have extinguished an abandoned campfire they found near the Cameron River area — for the second time this season.
The fire was left unattended with camping equipment nearby, stated NWT Fire in a Monday evening release.
“It is incredibly irresponsible to leave a campfire site without fully extinguishing the fire, as this is a common cause of wildfires started by people,” stated Thomas Bentham, wildfire information officer.
“It is vital to hold yourself, your friends, and your family accountable for practising fire safety on the land.”
That was the same urgent message NWT Fire hoped people would hear after it reported on May 17, the discovery of an abandoned campfire near the same site as the past incident.
Other campers nearby told the fire crew the people who started the campfire had gone back into town, leaving the fire unattended.
There is a very popular informal, unserviced campground in that Cameron River area that often caters to a less-structured clientele, perhaps even not welcome in a GNWT campground.
NWT Fire’s message this time is for campers to realize it’s, “imperative to hold yourself, your friends and family accountable for using fire safely on the land.”
Regional wildfire updates:
DEHCHO REGION
- FS007 (18 kilometres northeast of Wrigley, one kilometre north of Hodgson Creek): The crews fighting this 337-hectare fire are now moving to the valley floor to establish their position and continue working to keep the fire north of Hodgins Creek. Heavy equipment is working to widen the community fireguard at the edge of Wrigley, nearly doubling its size and making significant progress. Community protection efforts are ongoing, with most lines nearly finished and sprinkler systems in place throughout town.
- FS011 (22 kilometres northwest of Fort Simpson, one kilometre north of the Mackenzie River): Water tankers successfully carried out an aggressive initial attack. Crews, supported by aircraft, managed to bring this fire under control and will continue working on it until it is fully extinguished.
- FS009 (38 kilometres east of Fort Liard, six kilometres northeast of Bovie Lake): This lightning-caused fire, now spans approximately 500 hectares. Crews are on site, supported by aircraft, to continue suppression efforts focusing on the western flank. Structure protection has been established in the Bovie Lake area.
SOUTH SLAVE REGION
- SS009 (Tulip Lake Fire, 28 kilometres east of Fort Smith): This fire originated in Alberta and covers an area of 14,167 hectares and is at ‘being held’ status. There is no risk to communities, infrastructure or cabins at this time.
NWT Fire cautions that dry conditions are expected to persist across the territory for the near future.
Aircraft drops water on an identified hot spot at Tulip Lake fire recently. (Photo: NWT Fire)
