Due to extremely dry and hot conditions and the increased risk of wildfire, a fire ban is now in effect for multiple Territorial Parks in the North Slave, South Slave and Dehcho regions. This ban prohibits all open fires. The ban is effective immediately and will remain in place until July 30, 2026 for parks in the South Slave region, until July 20, 2026 for parks in the North Slave region, and until August 4, 2026 for all parks in the Dehcho region.

Fire bans are now in effect at the following territorial parks:
 

North Slave

• Fred Henne Territorial Park (Fire ban ends July 20, 2026)
• Yellowknife River Territorial Park (Fire ban ends July 20, 2026)

South Slave

• Queen Elizabeth Territorial Park (Fire ban ends July 30, 2026)
• Fort Smith Mission Territorial Park (Fire ban ends July 30, 2026)

The following territorial parks remain under fire bans:

• Blackstone Territorial Park (Fire ban ends August 4, 2026)
• Sambaa Deh Territorial Park (Fire ban ends August 4, 2026)

Camp stoves, enclosed barbeques, and propane-fueled cooking and heating devices are permitted for use in NWT Parks, but must be placed within regulation fire pits and should not emit a flame more than 0.5 metres in diameter and 0.5 metres in height.

Information about fire bans at territorial parks can be found on the NWT Parks website under Fire Restrictions at NWT Parks. You can also follow NWT Parks on Facebook for updates.

Fort Simpson Territorial Park is closed until further notice. Fort Simpson is currently under an evacuation order. For up-to-date emergency information, including evacuation alerts and orders, emergency supports and public safety updates, please visit the Government of the Northwest Territories’ Public Safety website.

For media inquiries, please contact:

Melvin Leonard

Assistant Director, Strategic Communications

Policy, Planning, Communications and Analysis

Industry, Tourism and Investment

iticommunciations@gov.nt.ca

867-767-9202 ext. 63038