Namushka Lodge consumed by Reid Lake forest fire Friday night
Fire located along Ingraham Trail has grown more than 6,200 hectares in 3 days
A forest fire burning about 50 kilometres from Yellowknife has destroyed a lodge off Harding Lake.
It happened around 7 p.m. Friday night, according to a Facebook post by the owners of Namushka Lodge, about 24 hours after the fire was first detected.
"We have had so many good memories over the last 34 years we have owned Namushka," the post read. "It's hard to even think that it is actually gone even though I have walked through its ashes."
"My mom said it best... it's like losing one of your family members."
The fire is considered out of control and is growing quickly, from about 100 hectares Thursday to 6,356 hectares Saturday, prompting evacuations at nearby campgrounds.
High winds Friday night grounded aircrafts that were helping fight the fire.
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources said, "extreme fire behaviour" is what destroyed the lodge that night, the second structure lost to this fire.
The department says extreme fire behaviour and dry, hot conditions are expected to continue into Sunday. There is also a chance of isolated thunder and lightening.
Officials say they are continuing to try to protect what's around the fire, including the Reid Lake Campground as well as Camp Connections, a camp for foster children.
The Ingraham Trail remains closed at kilometre 49.
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources plans to release another update on the wildfire situation in the territory later today.
So far, more than 100,000 hectares have been affected by forest fires this season.
