EventOn Aug. 24 the Northwest Territories Fire Service reported that half of a 13‑km‑north‑of‑BehchokǑ controlled burn was finished before changing weather halted crews; the adjacent fire ZF028 remains burning 13 km north with no current threat to residents or infrastructure.
Half of a controlled burn 13 km north of BehchokǑ, aiming to reduce wildfire risk, was halted by changing weather, but authorities say there is currently no threat to the community. Nearby fires—including ZF028 and a lightning‑caused blaze west of Highway 5—remain active with limited impact on travel routes.
A lightning‑ignited wildfire that began July 3 has expanded to 42,245 ha and moved 15 km closer to Behchokǫ̀, prompting the Northwest Territories Fire Service to plan a controlled burn north of Russell Channel on August 21 to clear fuel ahead of the fire. The move keeps the community safe while addressing broader high‑risk conditions across the NWT.
