Helicopter pilot has died fighting a fire in the Northwest Territories

YELLOWKNIFE — A helicopter pilot has died while fighting a wildfire in the Northwest Territories.

Transportation Safety Board officials said an aircraft operated by Great Slave Helicopters crashed Friday at Fort Good Hope Airport.

The company says Tom Frith died while fighting a fire near the community, about 800 kilometers northwest of Yellowknife.

Great Slave Helicopters extended its condolences to Frith’s family and friends in Yellowknife and Australia.

Mike Westwick, wildfire information officer, says the territory’s chief medical examiner has confirmed a contract pilot died while protecting Fort Good Hope.

The community of about 500 people has been under an evacuation order since mid-June.

The fire that threatened the community had an area of ​​more than 82 square kilometers since Monday and is classified as out of control.

The local state of emergency will be in place until July 13.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published on July 2, 2024.

The Canadian Press