Building fire near Inuvik suspected to have been human-caused

A fire at Airport Lake near Inuvik,N.W.T., that destroyed a building is suspected to have been human-caused, says the territorial Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

Inuvik Fire was alerted to the fire at 3:46 a.m. and responded with seven personnel and "two apparatus," fire chief Cynthia Hammond said in a news release on Friday.

"Upon arrival at the Airport Lake Boat Launch, it was determined that the location was inaccessible by fire apparatus, as it was across the lake," said Hammond in the release.

She said the territory's Department of Environment and Natural Resourceswas contacted for assistance as the fire had spread to "surrounding green space."

As of 9 a.m., the fire was 0.25 hectares in size, according to a post on the NWT Fire Facebook page, which is run by Environment and Natural Resources.

At 10:30 a.m. the department deployed a fire crew to assess the situation and quell further spread of the fire, said Hammond in the news release.

The structure was completely destroyed by the fire, said Hammond, adding that though it had spread to nearby trees, the fire was "slow moving."

No injuries have been reported, said Hammond.

According to a notice from Hammond posted on the Town of Inuvik's website, the fire posed "no risk to any other structures in the area."

"Once the fire has been mitigated and investigation occurs, an update will be provided,"said Hammond in the news release.

Second recent fire also suspected to be human-caused

A fire reported Thursday nightwest of Hay River, N.W.T., near the race track, is also believed to have been human-caused, says the NWT Fire Facebook post. As of Friday afternoon, a crew was working to extinguish that fire, which is about 0.1 hectares in size.

The department is reminding residents that anyone found to be responsible for starting a wildfire could face a fine of up to $1,000, up to two years in jail, or both. If found guilty that person may have to pay all the costs associated with putting out the fire, as well as damages.

"Dry forests, aggressive winds and a careless ignition source can easily cause a wildfire," reads the Facebook post.

"Camp fires should be completely extinguished before you leave your site. When fire crews are deployed to deal with preventable fires, it limits the resources available to respond to other wildfires."

The fires near Hay River and Invuik are both under investigation, says the department.