Three people were found dead after their plane, which was fighting a wildfire in the Northwest Territories, crashed Wednesday night.
RCMP and NWT Fire confirmed the fatalities Thursday afternoon, after first responders accessed the crash site and found no survivors.
“Our organization is grieving alongside the families, friends, colleagues, and the broader wildfire community as we process this unthinkable loss,” the N.W.T government agency said in an update.
The aircraft was a fixed-wing Turbo Commander AC960, named “Bird Dog 104.”
The territorial government said the bird dog was supporting wildfire suppression efforts in the Fort Simpson area, which is about 300 kilometres north of the B.C-N.W.T border.
The 100-hectare out-of-control wildfire, in the wilderness west of Fort Simpson, is believed to have started naturally and was detected on June 23.
The bird dog was part of a fire suppression team based at the Hay River airport, partnered with a Lockheed Electra L-188 air tanker.
The N.W.T government’s website says during aerial attacks on wildland fires, a number of fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters operate in close proximity over wildland fires.
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In the air, the bird dog aircraft provides a lead-in to ensure the flight path and drop height is safe for its partner air tanker to follow behind and drop fire suppressants.
The bird dog pilot has responsibility for the direction of air traffic over and in the immediate vicinity of a fire, while an air attack officer flies in the right seat (first officer seat).
He or she assesses the fire and directs air tankers to the most effective and safe drop locations.
The government website said the air attack officer is an experienced fire specialist with knowledge of air attack techniques and ground crew strategies, giving direction so the larger tankers can best assist the other crews in suppressing the fire.
The officer is also responsible for all communications to crews on the ground, other aircraft in the air, ECC regional offices, and air tanker bases.
Bird Dog 104 was one of four such aircrafts in the GNWT air tanker fleet, which also has 10 air tankers.
It’s not yet known who the third person on the plane was.
RCMP said it was notified of the crash, which occurred roughly 50 kilometres from Fort Simpson, around 7:30 p.m. Wednesday.
Police said they are now helping with recovering the bodies of the three people who died.
In the wake of the tragedy, NWT Fire said critical incident stress management teams are being deployed to support wildfire management staff at several bases.
“Across wildfire operations, the safety and well-being of our people must come first as our small, interconnected fire family begins to process this loss,” the government said.
The identities of the victims have not been released and NWT Fire said the organization’s focus right now is on supporting the families, friends, colleagues, and fire personnel affected by the tragedy.
“We will honour those who lost their lives in the line of duty at the appropriate time and in accordance with the wishes of their families.”
The cause of the crash is not yet known. The Transportation Safety Board has been called in to investigate alongside the RCMP, N.W.T coroner service and territorial government.
My thoughts are with the family and friends of the victims, of course. They lost their lives to protect us.
Here are some facts:
50% of all forrest fires in Canada are started by lightning, yet represent 85% of the area burned.
The average number of forest fires in Canada 8000-7000 that burns approximately 2.7 million hectors.
Canada has approximately 106 water bombers considered dispatch ready with 60 considered high performance. 10 new water bombers were added in 2026 for approximately one bomber for every ~15,000 hecters.
While recent data suggests the total number of fires is decreasing, the area affected is increasing.
Aircraft photo stating “ File photo of a fixed-wing Turbo Commander AC960 “bird dog” plane flying ahead of a wildfire air tanker in the Northwest Territories” is incorrect. This is a photo of a “Beechcraft KingAir 90”, not a “Turbo Commander AC960”.
Bless their Heroic Efforts.
My Sincerest Condolences to their Families and Friends.
May they Rest In Peaceful Heaven.
Hopefully, all are well.