2014 Northwest Territories fires
 | This article's factual accuracy may be compromised due to out-of-date information. (October 2018) |
| 2014 Northwest Territories Fires | |
|---|---|
 Ashes from the fires on the hood of a car in Yellowknife | |
| Date(s) | Summer 2014 |
| Location | Northwest Territories,[Canada |
| Statistics | |
| Burned area | 3,500,000 ha (8,600,000 acres) |
| Impacts | |
| Deaths | Unknown |
| Non-fatal injuries | Unknown |
| Damage | $44.37 million (2014 USD) |
| Ignition | |
| Cause | Lightning, human error |
The 2014 forest fire season in the Northwest Territories of Canada is reputed to be the worst for at least three decades.[1] As of 3 July, there had been 123 fires reported in the territory, of which at least 92 were still active and 13 were thought to be human-caused. By 9 July the total had reached 164 fires[2] and on 10 July over 130 fires were thought to be burning. The smoke generated by the fires was blown into the Prairie Provinces and created a moderate health risk there leading Environment Canada to declare an air quality advisory for southern Saskatchewan and Manitoba on 9 July.[2]
The smoke reached as far away as Bismarck, North Dakota, over 2,000 km (1,200 mi) south.[3] The smoke was also observed drifting north into Nunavut[4] and east to the Maritime Provinces and as far as Portugal.[5] By 8 July the largest fires were the Lutselk'e fire at 31,000 ha (77,000 acres) and the Gamèti-Wekweeti fire at 25,000 ha (62,000 acres). By 9 July an area of 5,000 km2 (1,900 sq mi) had been consumed, about the size of the island of Trinidad.[6]
As of 18 September 2014, the Government of the Northwest Territories estimated that 3,500,000 ha (8,600,000 acres) of forest had been burnt and that the fire fighting cost C$55 million ($44.37 million USD).[1]
References
- ^ a b Worst forest fires in 30 years cost N.W.T. $55M
- ^ a b News - Cool, rainy conditions to help relieve fire crews across the Northwest Territories - The Weather Network
- ^ N.W.T. wildfires: Hospital staff seeing more lung complaints - North - CBC News
- ^ Smoke in Nunavut, Northwest Territories
- ^ Massive smoke clouds from Canadian wildfires are up to 15 km high and visible all the way to Portugal
- ^ N.W.T. fires: Gameti, Wekweeti not in immediate danger - North - CBC News