A wildfire near Fort Simpson, N.W.T., has caused damage to some outbuildings like sheds and fences but no primary residential structures were destroyed, according to officials.

Wildland urban interface crews worked through the night to prevent the fire from spreading to homes, with flames reaching up to 100 feet above treetops in intense fire behavior.

The fire now spans 150 square kilometers and is burning along Highway 1, with winds expected to shift from the north, potentially making previously inactive areas more active.

Officials warned that spot fires could ignite from burning bark or debris carried by the wind, emphasizing the need for crews to locate and extinguish these fires quickly.While no homes were lost, assessments are ongoing, and more structures could be damaged in the coming days.

The Village of Fort Simpson urged residents not to share images of affected areas on social media, as publicly available mapping tools may be misleading due to smoke interference with satellite heat detection.Officials stressed the importance of waiting for official updates rather than relying on potentially inaccurate maps or social media posts.The situation remains dynamic, with the risk of rapid changes due to shifting winds and dry conditions.