YELLOWKNIFE (September 1, 2023)– The current fire bans have been extended for all public and private lands in both the North Slave and the South Slave Regions.
These bans are effective through September 15 and may be extended if necessary. They apply to following communities and on the land:
North Slave:
- Behchokǫ
- Dettah
- Gamètı̀
- Łutselk’e
- N’dilǫ
- Wekweètı̀
- Whatı̀
- Yellowknife
South Slave:
- Enterprise
- Fort Providence
- Fort Resolution
- Fort Smith
- Hay River
- Kakisa
- Kátł’odeeche First Nation
Maps for each regional ban are attached showing the extent of the area these restrictions apply to.
These bans are being extended as a result of continued extreme wildfire danger and extraordinary weather conditions. These restrictions are intended to help protect communities, values at risk and our wildland firefighters by limiting avoidable person-caused fires.
Terms of fire ban – you may not:
- Start, tend, or use open fire outdoors, including in an open fire pit or burn barrel
- Discharge firearms with incendiary or tracer ammunition
- Shoot or detonate exploding targets
- Shoot fireworks or firecrackers
- Ignite sky lanterns
- Ignite signal flare devices or pyrotechnic bear bangers unless in an emergency situation
- Store flare devices, bear bangers, fireworks or firecrackers in a manner that may cause them to be ignited
- Burn permits are temporarily cancelled while the order is in effect
The use of closed stoves, barbeques, furnaces, or other devices suitable for containing fire may be used (including CSA or ULC approved gas and propane barbeques and fire pits).
The use of fire for exercising Aboriginal or treaty rights by Indigenous peoples, such as cooking, or hide-tanning, are exempt from these restrictions.
For the latest:
- Public safety information, visit the Public Safety Page
- Highway conditions, visit the Highway Conditions Map
If you see violations, please report them by calling 1-877-NWT-FIRE.
For media requests, please contact:
Mike Westwick
Manager, Communications and Public Affairs
Environment and Climate Change
Government of the Northwest Territories
867-688-0958
