Reid Lake fire that burned Namushka Lodge suspected to be human-caused
ENR suspects fire started near cabin on Pickerel Lake
The wildfire that destroyed Namushka Lodge east of Yellowknife last week may have been caused by a person.
That's according to an ongoing investigation by the territory's Department of Environment and Natural Resources. It suspects 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 and headed south, where it burned down the lodge.
According to Forest Protection Act regulations, a person responsible for a fire can be fined up to $1,000 or 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 Namushka Lodge 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.