Lightning sparks 4 new fires in N.W.T. over the weekend

Four new wildfires started in the Northwest Territories over the weekend, all caused by lightning.

The largest fire started on Saturday and is burning about 100 kilometres outside Fort Simpson. It's been reported as 110 hectares in size. 

Three others started Sunday in the Dehcho region. One near Fort Liard was fought and extinguished, and the other two are small fires of less than a hectare.

There is also a fire burning in the Sahtu region, hundreds of kilometres from any community, that started last week.

According to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, fire hazard is low to moderate across the Northwest Territories except in the Dehcho region where it remains high. Showers and thundershowers are expected across much of the N.W.T. today and tomorrow.

There have been nine fires to date in the territory this season, well below the average for this time of year.