Prevention and Mitigation

Fire bans

Fire bans are put in place when there is extreme fire danger in an area for an extended period, increasing the risk of wildfires. The City of Yellowknife, in conjunction with the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT), is responsible for monitoring the conditions within City limits and issuing local fire bans on open-air fires (e.g. residential fire pits or the permitted burning of backyard brush). City issued fire bans can be found on the City of Yellowknife’s website as well as on the City's Facebook Page.

The GNWT has the authority to implement regional and territorial fire bans, which would apply to local parks like Fred Henne Territorial Park or the Yellowknife River Territorial Park Day Use Area. Regional and territorial fire bans would also apply to open-air fires within City limits. GNWT issued fire bans will be communicated on NWT Fire’s website and within the Park Advisories section of NWT Parks’ website.

When there is no fire ban in effect, residents are welcome to use the fire pits located in territorial parks. Keep safety top of mind and check out these useful tips on how to prepare for, maintain and put out your campfire responsibly.

Restrictions

A burning permit or a fire pit approval is required when having a fire on your property. Burning permits and fire pit approvals for properties within City limits are administered by the City of Yellowknife Fire Division and can be requested via this online form.

Burning permits and fire pit approvals are required for the following situations:

• Burning bush or grass on your property
• Having a recreational fire on your property
• Discharging fireworks within City limits

More details on burning permits for fires within City limits and information on approved fire pits can be found on the City of Yellowknife’s website.

If you have a fire outside of City limits for anything other than cooking food or for warmth, a burning permit would be required. Burning permits for fires beyond City limits are administered by the GNWT and can be requested in-person at the Regional Office for the Department of Environment and Climate Change located at 3803 Bretzlaff Drive. Inquiries can be made by phone at 1-867-767-9238 ext. 53247. 

To report smoke or an unsupervised fire within City limits, please call 9-1-1. To report smoke or a forest fire outside of Yellowknife, please call 1-877-698-3473 (1-877-NWTFIRE). This line is operated by the GNWT and is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 

Steps to protect your property

In preparation for wildfire season, consider the steps below to reduce the risk of a wildfire causing damage to your property.

• Remove leaves, pine needles and other debris from your roof and gutters
• Ensure soffits are in place
• Clean under your deck
• Separate any fencing to be at least 1.5 meters from your home
• Mow and water your lawn regularly (grass should be less than 10 cm in height)
• Regularly clean the corners and crevices around your home and yard (where needles and debris build up), ensuring there is nothing for embers to ignite
• Maintain your outbuildings (e.g. sheds, detached garages) as you would your home
  
  

Helpful resources:

• More information on wildfires and FireSmarting
• Checklist for protecting your home and property from wildfire
• FireSmarting tips and self-directed assessment of your home and property

Free Home and Property Assessments 

The City of Yellowknife Fire Division (YKFD) is conducting free home and property assessments for Yellowknife and Ndilo residents. This assessment will highlight areas of risk and provide specific recommendations of actions and upgrades residents can take to increase their property’s resilience to wildfire.

The program’s primary purpose is to engage homeowners in voluntary wildfire mitigation activities by offering a home assessment with property-specific recommendations. The assessment process accurately evaluates a home and property for wildfire exposure, while engaging the homeowner to discuss their unique fire risk and guidance as to how to reduce it. This program is being offered in collaboration with FireSmart Canada, FireSmart NWT and homeowners in Yellowknife.

Local homeowners, business owners and property management companies are invited to request a free assessment with a YKFD staff member by filling out this online form. If you are having trouble completing the online form, call (867) 766-5502 or email firehalladministration@yellowknife.ca to submit your request. YKFD will run this program until fall 2024.

During the 2023 wildfire season, immense efforts were made to protect our community against future wildfire events. 

Preventative measures taken:

• 2.7 km² of vegetation removal was completed for fuel breaks
• 2.3 km² of vegetation reduction was completed
• Equipment for the installation of sprinklers was purchased by the City of Yellowknife should there be a need to take action against wildfires in the future