Jason Unrau
Northern News Services
Wednesday, July 4, 2007

YELLOWKNIFE - A weekend fire at Drybones Bay that destroyed 353 hectares of forest and a tent belonging to Snowfield Developments was man-made, according to Frank Lepine, fire operations manager for Environment and Natural Resources.

"We believe it was person-caused but we won't know the exact cause until the investigation is finished," said Lepine, adding the fire was "being held" by six fire crews extinguishing hot spots Monday morning after two water bombers worked to suppress the blaze Sunday. Drybones Bay is approximately 45 kilometres southeast of Yellowknife on Great Slave Lake.

A smoky haze was visible in the city Saturday and Sunday.

Prior to the fire, fire services recorded no lightning strikes in the region, ruling out Mother Nature as the cause.

John Dalton, an area manager for Snowfield, said the fire was not near its pit operation. None of the 11 camp personnel on site was in danger and a supply tent was the only casualty for the diamond exploration company outfit.

"The condition of the winds carried it along the top of the ridge," said Dalton, who did not know what caused the fire. "We'll leave (the investigation) in the hands of forestry."