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Cabins destroyed during 'explosive growth' of wildfire near Sambaa K'e, N.W.T.

TROUT LAKE, N.W.T. — An out-of-control wildfire burning near Sambaa K'e, a small Dene community in the Northwest Territories, has destroyed two cabins.
Canadian Press
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The Northwest Territories provincial flag flies on a flagpole in Ottawa, Monday July 6, 2020. An out-of-control wildfire burning near Sambaa K'e in the Northwest Territories has destroyed two cabins. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

TROUT LAKE, N.W.T. — An out-of-control wildfire burning near Sambaa K'e, a small Dene community in the Northwest Territories, has destroyed two cabins.

The territory's wildfire agency says the losses are believed to have occurred during explosive growth of the fire last week.

The fire near the Alberta boundary has burned an estimated 2,650 square kilometres in the territory and is 10 kilometres away from Sambaa K'e.

A home in the community was destroyed during an ignition operation on Sunday night.

Residents of Sambaa K'e, which is home to nearly 100 people, were ordered to evacuate on May 31.

The wildfire agency says ongoing work to protect structures includes drops from air tankers, sprinklers, and backburns around structures.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 9, 2023.

The Canadian Press