Following a blaze identified near Long Lake in Yellowknife yesterday, Yellowknife RCMP were on patrol and took notice around 10:03pm calling the Yellowknife Fire Division soon after.
According to the RCMP, the cause of the fire has been determined to be arson.
Witnesses reported two men wearing black clothing running from the area. The NWT Police Dog Service attended in an effort to track the suspects, but they were not located.
The RCMP says no further description of the men could be provided and the matter remains under investigation.
“A significant fire behind the city’s line of defence could have devastating consequences and take valuable resources away from the on-going wildfire fighting efforts that are underway,” RCMP representative Corporal Matt Halstead says.
Shortly after, around 11:21 pm, members of the Yellowknife RCMP received a call reporting that four females were attempting to light a fire in a small green space on Burwash Drive.
Officers attended immediately and arrested the four youth females, finding aerosol cans and lighters in their possession and near the scene.
According to the RCMP, video of the incident was captured on a nearby camera at a private residence.
All four of the female youths have been arrested and charged with arson.
“It is completely beyond understanding that in the face of everything going on in the territory and the threat approaching our city, that people would actively attempt to start fires and endanger our community members,” he adds.
