Current Fire Danger Ratings
Burning Restrictions
2005 Bulletin Archive

Wildfire Bulletin #29

July 13, 2005 - 10:30 AM

Yukon Assists with Alaska Fire

At the request of Alaska fire officials, Wildland Fire Management responded to a 260 hectare fire, called the Boundary Creek fire, with both the Firecat airtanker group and the DC-6 airtanker groups. The fire, burning near the Alaska/Yukon border was threatening values in Alaska. The Yukon airtankers joined two Alaska airtanker groups in fighting the fire. In the meantime, the Boundary Creek fire has crossed the border into the Yukon and is now called Dawson #19 and is burning in the Wilderness Zone.  WFM will be assessing the fire today for any values on the Canadian side of the border.

On the way to the Alaska fire, the birddog aircraft spotted a 0.1 hectare fire near Viceroy minesite in the Wilderness Zone and several loads of retardant were dropped on the fire. An initial attack crew out of Dawson also responded to the lightning caused fire with helicopter support. The fire is expected to be called out today.

In other news, the Moose Creek fire, burning near the Alaska/Yukon border has been active in the last two days. WFM assessed the fire yesterday to ensure there is no threat to the mining camps in the area.  WFM will continue to monitor the fire.

With the recent warm weather in the central and southern Yukon, the risk of wildfires is increasing. Burning conditions in the Whitehorse and Carmacks Districts are high to extreme, and similar conditions are expected in other parts of the Territory this weekend as a ridge of high pressure builds over the Yukon.

With the increasing fire danger Wildland Fire Management (WFM) would again like to remind the public to be extra careful with their campfires and follow these simple guidelines: prepare your campfire in an area away from vegetation and other flammable materials; attend to your fire at all times and make sure it is fully extinguished before you leave; keep water and a shovel nearby; never light a fire in dry, windy conditions.

As well, burning permit guidelines must always be followed, and when fire danger ratings rise to HIGH or EXTREME it is important to call your local district office to make sure burning is permitted.

There have been 66 fires this season burning approximately 115,000 hectares. On this date in 2004, there were 187 forest fires that had burnt 913,000 hectares of forest.

Wildland Fire Management wishes to thank the public for their continued help in reporting wildfires. To report a wildfire call 1-888-798-FIRE(3473).

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For Yukon Wildfire updates, call 1-800-826-4750
Report Wildfires - 1-888-798-FIRE (3473)

Current Fire Danger Ratings
Burning Restrictions
2005 Bulletin Archive