NWT firefighter died after wildfire injury, officials say
A firefighter injured fighting a blaze in the Fort Liard District, NWT, has died, government officials confirmed Sunday.
The firefighter, also from Fort Liard, died after they were injured fighting a blaze on Saturday, wildfires officer Jessica Davey-Quantick said in a statement.
“Our thoughts are with his family, friends, colleagues and the community. We share your deep sorrow at this loss,” said Davey-Quantick.
“We extend our deepest condolences to all those affected by this tragedy, including wildfire personnel committed to protecting their communities and the people of the NWT”
The NWT government said it will not identify the firefighter at this time as it is notifying the firefighter’s family. It said the Royal Canadian Mountain Police and the county coroner’s office have been contacted.
The area where the death occurred is about 23 miles north of the British Columbia border, where residents are grappling with a lack of rain, record-breaking temperatures in some areas and a record-breaking wildfire season. In NWT, public parks have been placed under a fire ban due to extremely dry weather conditions.
The firefighter is the second this week to die on duty in Canada. On Friday, BC firefighter Devyn Gale died after being hit by a falling tree while fighting a blaze.
