|Font Size:
|
Contact Us |
Français
Department of Community Services
2005 - Yukon Wildfire Bulletins
|
Current Fire Danger Ratings Wildfire Bulletin #47 August 16, 2005 - 10:00 AM Spot Fire at Whitehorse Dump Actioned by WFM Wildland Fire Management (WFM) assisted the Whitehorse city fire department with a fire at the old Whitehorse dump yesterday. The spot fire was responded to by an initial attack crew and helicopter and was declared out shortly after. The fire was human-caused. In the last 24 hours the Whitehorse and Haines Junction areas have received over 300 lightning strikes. As a result crews will be patrolling these areas today. During the Discovery Day long weekend there was a new fire in each of these districts; however, they were both caused by people. In other news, the initial attack crew sent to the Mile 11 and Mile 33 fires by Haines, Alaska over the weekend has returned to the Yukon yesterday. The crew had been working on the fires for two days, and currently Alaska fire crews are continuing to battle the fires. Two airtanker groups also helped Alaska with the fires by putting retardant on the fires both August 13 and 14. In addition, the Yukon nine initial attack crews sent to Ontario to assist with frequent fire starts there are returning to the Yukon this Friday. Ontario has recently had minimal lighting, and is forecasted to have precipitation later this week. Due to increased fire activity in the past few days in both the Yukon and Alaska, travelers may encounter heavy smoke in parts of the Yukon, including the Dempster Highway, south of Eagle Plains. The best time to travel is early in the morning when fires are less active. To get more information on highways please call Highways and Public Works at 1-877-456-7623. FireSmarting personal property is the best way the public can do their part to ensure their homes are not at risk from a potential wildfire. The FireSmart program is focused on reducing the risk of wildfire around homes and communities. For more information on FireSmart, please call 867-667-3013 or visit the Fire Management website. There have been 81 fires this season burning approximately 175,000 hectares. -30- For Yukon Wildfire updates, call 1-800-826-4750 Current Fire Danger Ratings |