Articles by James O'Connor

Featured, News, Weather, Wildfires July 7, 2024

NWT Fire to Fort Good Hope returnees: ‘The fire has changed the land you live on … the forest will grow back.’

The massive wildfire is not out, but community is secure, as there is very little forest fuel left nearby


The Fort Good Hope wildfire — which forced the evacuation of the community for three weeks  — has transitioned to a mop up stage and the line adjacent to the community is secure. Chief Collin Pierrot stated in a social media post late Saturday night that the last plane was…

Featured, News, Weather, Wildfires July 2, 2024

Wildfire rolls towards Behchokǫ̀’s Edzo neighbourhood, evacuation notice issued

An aggressive initial attack from the air and ground was launched, but extreme conditions led to the fire escaping


There is a risk that a 200-hectare wildfire could impact Behchokǫ̀ in the Edzo neighbourhood within the next 12 to 48 hours based on weather conditions and fire activity. The fire is 17 kilometres from the community one hour’s drive from Yellowknife and was caused by lightning on the west…

Featured, News, Wildfires July 2, 2024

Coroner Service now investigating fatal helicopter crash at Fort Good Hope

Tom Frith passed away while battling an out of control wildfire, a 'testament to his unwavering courage and dedication,' says Great Slave Helicopters


The lone occupant of the helicopter that crashed at Fort Good Hope on Friday was Tom Frith, remembered as a “beacon of light, beloved by all who had the privilege of knowing him,” by his employer Great Slave Helicopters. The company posted this statement this afternoon: “It is with profound…

Culture, Featured, News July 2, 2024

Cultural pride front and centre at Indigenous Summer Games

A competition, but also a celebration of traditional sports, Indigenous peoples and their culture.


Athletes from across the NWT — and further afield — gathered in Yellowknife over the weekend for the 2024 Indigenous Summer Games. Hundreds of youth, parents and adult competitors attended the three-day games at Ecole St. Patrick High School in Yellowknife. Organized by Aboriginal Sports Circle NWT, the Summer Games…

Featured, News, Weather, Wildfires July 1, 2024

If you return to evacuated Fort Good Hope: ‘Stay at your own risk’

The GNWT and Chief Collin Pierrot plead with residents and others not to enter community


Fort Good Hope remains under an evacuation order and it’s dangerous and irresponsible for anyone to return to the community, residents or not. Stated the GNWT on Sunday: “We can confirm from all levels of emergency management that there are no plans to move any evacuees back to the community…

Featured, News, Weather, Wildfires June 30, 2024

Hwy 7 fire was out, but hot winds blew it back to life

In Fort Good Hope, emotions raw after helicopter crash and relentless wildfire entering third week


A wildfire along Highway 7 (Liard Trail), which was previously brought under control, flared up under dry conditions and heavy winds, jumped containment, and grew to 49 hectares overnight. Fire FS008 has reached Highway 7 at Kilometre 236 on the west side, but did not impact access as air support…

Featured, Industry, News, Politics, Transportation, Weather June 28, 2024

Fix for low-water shipping woes could be ‘lighter than air,’ committee hears

But until Ottawa approves airships for arctic use, the push to finish Mackenzie Valley highway shifts gears


With barges stranded and deliveries disrupted up and down the Mackenzie River, alternatives to shipping are lacking at present, says Minister of Finance and Infrastructure Caroline Wawzonek. The senior minister told a committee hearing on Wednesday how she has been pitched alternative cargo transportation concepts, everything from finally securing funding…

Featured, News, Wildfires June 28, 2024

Warm, dry weather expected to fuel Fort Good Hope blaze this weekend

A test wildfire at the Fort Providence Experimental Site last night is now 1.5 hectares in size and classified as human caused and, for now, out of control


The Fort Good Hope wildfire has now consumed over 6,285 hectares, with more hot and dry weather on the way. Shannon Graf is the NWT Fire information officer assigned to the Fort Good Hope fire, known as VQ001. “Dry weather is expected to continue with the evenings offering little relief…

Featured, Housing, News, Reconciliation June 27, 2024

City open to ‘homeless encampments’ on public land, says Mayor Rebecca Alty

Social advocate Georgina Franki says new tent platform on Commissioner’s land at Niven Lake a good place to start


More homeless encampments could be popping up in Yellowknife, as city officials are in discussions with their GNWT counterparts over how to handle the increased number of street-involved people here this summer. There are already tents in clusters on the west loop of the Frame Lake Trail and a large…