Reid Lake fire that burned Namushka Lodge suspected to be human-caused

The wildfire that destroyed NamushkaLodge east of Yellowknife last week may have been caused by a person.

That's according to an ongoing investigation bythe territory's Department of Environment and Natural Resources. Itsuspects the fire started near a cabin on Pickerel Lake, which was destroyed early in the fire.

Camp Connections and Reid Lake Territorial campground were evacuated.

The fire then jumped Highway 4 andheaded south, where it burneddown the lodge.

According toForest Protection Actregulations, a person responsible for a firecan be fined up to $1,000or sentenced to up to two years in jail.

The Crown can also attempt to recover costs of fighting the fire in court.

The owners of NamushkaLodge may also seek financial damages in civil proceedings.

Crews continue to battle the fire, which was estimated at about 6,300 hectares in size as of Thursday. Highway 4 remains closed at kilometre 49.