Human-Caused Wildfire Burns Overnight in Canada's Northwest Territories

Officials ordered evacuations on May 14 as a wildfire broke out in Hay River, in the Northwest Territories of Canada, according to reports.

The wildfire, which “grew from nothing to a giant smoke plume in the space of hours,” also triggered the evacuation of the Katłodeeche First Nation, Cabin Radio said. The fire was believed to be human-caused, according to officials.

By 11:05 pm, the Town of Hay River was placed under an evacuation order after the fire jumped the Hay River, according to a timeline provided by Cabin Radio.

Mary Jane Martin, a resident of Yellowknife, said she filmed these videos from Sunday evening until 4 am Monday as the fire persisted.

“My heart is aching for people who have no home to go back to,” she wrote on Facebook. Credit: Mary Jane Martin via Storyful

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