The owners of Hearne Lake Lodge are preparing their property for a forest fire that could reach it before July 6.
The shelter, about 60 kilometers east of Yellowknife, has survived close calls in the past, even in 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2023.
Edie Yoder, owner of the lodge, spoke with CBC News by satellite phone from her property.
“We feel very stressed, of course. I mean, this is our life and it is a beautiful area [we’ve] I worked hard to protect and welcome guests around the world to come here, “said Yoder.
“I think we both have some PTSD of the fire, especially in 2014, which almost made us lose our shelter.”
There are two fires that threaten Hearne Lake Lodge: one near the southern end of Lake Campbell and another about three kilometers east of Lake Watta.
Mike Westwick, prevention and mitigation manager of forest fires for the NWT government, said the fires were initiated by a ray that attacked at the end of June or early July.
The fires have grown significantly in recent days due to strong winds and dry conditions.
Westwick said the nearest fire is 10 kilometers from the shelter.
He said that Lake Watta’s fire is the one that worries them the most, since there are also the leaves there. He added that there are also cabins in Campbell Lake.
Nwt Fire has urged people in the area to leave, and the fires are expected to reach properties in that area in a matter of days. Yoder said they plan to stay nearby and continue filling the fuel tank in the water tank to ensure that sprinklers continue to work.
Yoder said they have a plan to go to an island and establish a tent in case they need to leave the shelter quickly.
“We are packing important documents and not saying that we have a fire in us,” he said.
She said that although the shelter has survived numerous past fires, the burning area does not completely protect her property.
“This area that would come to us has not burned,” he said.
“It will almost be a clear path to fire if the winds change.”
She said her main defense line is a system of sprinklers that have established.
“We will execute it for at least an hour to absorb the land and develop moisture as an additional step with protection,” he said.
Yoder said Friday morning that there had been some rain, which gave them some hope.
Yoder said Hearne Lake Lodge is a small shelter that she and her partner have poured “her heart, soul and life savings into it.” They have been there since 2011.
Due to the intensity of the fire on Thursday, crews had to be removed directly by attacking the fire. Instead, these resources are being used to protect structures in the area.
Westwick said this is done for safety, but also because the intensity of fires makes the attacks ineffective.
