Namushka Lodge consumed by Reid Lake forest fire Friday night

A forest fire burning about 50 kilometres from Yellowknife has destroyed a lodge off Harding Lake.

It happened around 7 p.m. Friday night, according to a Facebookpost by the owners of NamushkaLodge,about 24 hours after the fire was first detected.

"We have had so many good memories over the last 34 years we have owned Namushka," the post read. "It's hard to even think that it is actually gone even though I have walked through its ashes."

"My mom said it best...it's like losing one of your family members."

The fire is considered out of control and is growing quickly, from about 100 hectares Thursdayto 6,356hectares Saturday, promptingevacuations at nearby campgrounds.

• 'Within about 10 minutes we were into the fire,' says camper evacuated from Reid Lake

High winds Friday night grounded aircraftsthat werehelpingfight the fire.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources said, "extreme fire behaviour" is what destroyed the lodge that night, the secondstructure lost to this fire.

The department says extreme fire behaviour and dry, hot conditions areexpected to continue into Sunday. There is also a chance of isolated thunder and lightening.

Officials say they are continuing to try toprotect what's around the fire, includingthe Reid Lake Campground as wellas Camp Connections, a camp for foster children.

The Ingraham Trail remains closed at kilometre 49.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resourcesplans to release another update on the wildfire situation in the territory later today.

So far, more than 100,000 hectares have been affected byforest fires this season.