FORT SIMPSON, N.W.T. — Officials have released the names of two wildland firefighters killed in a plane crash near Fort Simpson last month.
Ryan Beck, an air attack officer trainee, and Olivier Lamy, an air attack officer, died while supporting wildfire operations on June 24.
A third person also died in the crash but has not been publicly identified.
The three were aboard a Turbo Commander 690 bird dog aircraft supporting airtanker crews fighting a wildfire in the Martin Hills area, about 50 kilometres from Fort Simpson.
A bird dog aircraft serves as an airborne command centre coordinating wildfire suppression operations.
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada is investigating the cause of the crash.
Meanwhile, crews continue battling wildfire FS016 near Fort Simpson, which had grown to more than 36,000 hectares as of Wednesday evening.
Rain and cooler temperatures have temporarily improved firefighting conditions, but officials warn warm and dry weather is expected to return next week.
Fort Simpson remains under an evacuation order.
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