Current Fire Danger Ratings
Burning Restrictions
2005 Bulletin Archive

Wildfire Bulletin #44

August 11, 2005 - 10:00 AM

Fire Danger Increasing in Southern Lakes District

As the Discovery Day holiday weekend approaches much of the Territory will experience above normal temperatures for this time of the year. A strong upper ridge will bring warm and dry conditions to central and southern Yukon.

While fire danger ratings are rising in the Kluane region, the Southern Lake area, including Whitehorse, Carcross/Tagish and Teslin will see similar conditions in the next few days. Wildland Fire Management (WFM) is asking the public to use extreme caution when burning and to be careful with their campfires over the holiday weekend.  In these conditions fires will start easily and spread quickly.

Meanwhile, in the Klondike Zone around Dawson, smoke from large fires in Alaska is reducing visibility in some areas. Travelers planning to travel on the Taylor Highway in Alaska can expect delays and heavy smoke from forest activity between mile post 125 and 142. The Alaska Forest Service asks motorists to please proceed with caution and keep headlights on, watching out for crews and fire equipment.

In Ontario, which has been pounded by lightning in the past few days, Yukon firefighters are battling blazes in different parts of the province. “Our crews have all been on initial attack on a number of fires here,” said Gerry Trudeau, the Yukon’s Agency Representative. “Right now, our crews are working on fires in Wawa, Hearst, Cochrane, Kirkland Lake and Hornepayne,” he added.

Yukon firefighters will be in Ontario for at least another week.

There have been 79 fires this season burning approximately 175,000 hectares.

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Current Fire Danger Ratings
Burning Restrictions
2005 Bulletin Archive