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SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - There have been more structure fires in the first three weeks of August than all of June and July combined, according to fire department statistics.

"It's been a busy season this summer," said deputy fire chief Gerda Groothuizen.

Yellowknife fire chief Albert Headrick said it's been a busy summer for the department. - Ben Morgan/NNSL photo

The department responded to three structure fires in the month of June and one in July, but firefighters have responded to five since the beginning of August.

Groothuizen said there isn't any connection between the fires but added the number of calls is higher than usual.

"They seem to come in bunches," said Groothuizen. "There will be a period where we don't have any fires and then there will be another spurt."

The fire department had a total of seven fire calls in June - three structure fires, one vehicle fire and three campfire-related calls. Groothuizen said no one is allowed to put on a campfire in the city without a permit.

In July, firefighters had a single structure fire, four campfire-related calls and three garbage fires that needed to be extinguished.

Groothuizen said firefighters have responded to 10 fire calls so far in August.

"We had five structures, two bush fires, one vehicle fire, one garbage fire and there was one campfire in the city that we had to respond to."

She cautioned some of the calls were minor, amounting to nothing more than an ashtray fire, adding false alarms are not tabulated into the figures.

Groothuizen said the type of fire makes a difference when responding to a call.

Fire Chief Albert Headrick said the statistics don't give an accurate picture of what's keeping the department busy.

He said firefighters have responded to calls beyond their jurisdiction to lend a hand when needed in Dettah and along the Ingraham Trail.

"But we've been busy, there's no doubt about it," he said.

One of the fires the department responded to in August was on Cassidy Point, near Prosperous Lake, next to the home of Sandra Zolondek.

Neighbours began fighting the blaze until Yellowknife firefighters arrived on the scene.

"We were so happy they came," said Zolondek. "I mean, I don't think they had to come, so it was a huge relief when they arrived."

She credits the department with saving her home.

"After the fire was out they were here walking along my driveway looking for hotspots and embers - we saw them with their flashlights," she said. "They did a great job."

Headrick said the department's top priority is within the city but whenever they are able to respond they're glad to help out.

He said public education on fire safety and fire prevention is a critical component in assisting firefighting response and the department is involved in a campaign to increase fire prevention awareness.