Pets Left Behind
Fort Simpson Couple Devotes 14-Hour Days to Care for 51 Pets Left Behind During Wildfire
A couple in Fort Simpson, NWT, are spending more than 14 hours a day caring for dozens of pets left behind during a fast-moving wildfire. Diedra Villeneuve and Derek McKillop set out to check on their uncle's dog — and ended up responsible for 51 dogs across 30 separate addresses, according to Northern News Services.
Wildfire FS016 forced all 1,300 Fort Simpson residents to evacuate on June 28. Officials ordered people to flee to Yellowknife, 600 km away. The rules were firm: no pets allowed on evacuation aircraft.
From One Dog to 51 Across Thirty Homes
Villeneuve and McKillop originally stayed behind to look after their uncle's dog. But driving home, they spotted other dogs abandoned in yards. Word spread fast. Their list grew from 12 animals on June 29 to 51 by June 30, according to Victoria News.
The couple now visit 30 different properties every day. They bring food, fresh water, and — in their own words — cuddles. The work is physically exhausting, stretching across most of their waking hours.
No Pets on Planes Left Owners With a Hard Choice
Incident Command announced the last evacuation flight on June 29 at midnight. The message was blunt: "No pets will be allowed on aircraft." Owners were told to register animals at the recreation center and leave them with food. Many had no choice but to leave dogs behind.
This policy echoes a recurring tension in northern emergency response. During the 2023 Yellowknife fires, some flights eventually allowed pets. The 2026 rules for Fort Simpson offered no such option, according to CBC News.
Northern Store Steps Up as Fire Hits 8,900 Hectares
Food supplies were a pressing problem. The local Northern Store donated 10 large bags of dog kibble to help the couple keep up with demand. Some of the food was set aside for pets in the neighboring community of Wrigley, where animals were also left behind.
Meanwhile, the fire kept growing. FS016 reached 8,900 hectares by June 30. Firefighters managed to hold the blaze at the edge of town, according to NWT Fire updates. About 461 Fort Simpson evacuees had registered at the Yellowknife Multiplex, with the Salvation Army providing support and United Way NWT distributing $34,700 in gift cards.
Couple Warns They May Release Dogs If Forced to Flee
Villeneuve and McKillop are still at risk. If the fire pushes into town and they must evacuate, they say they will "turn some of these dogs loose." Loose domestic dogs wandering near an active fire zone is a serious concern for animal safety.
Officials warned that anyone staying behind would not receive emergency support. The Village of Fort Simpson stated plainly: "Responders need to be able to focus on the incident at hand." The couple pressed on anyway, showing up at every address, every day, according to Stettler Independent.
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