Department of Community Services

2004 - Yukon Wildfire Bulletins

Current Fire Danger Ratings
Burning Restrictions
2004 Bulletin Archive

Wildfire Bulletin #39

July 09, 2004 - 4:00 PM

More Hectares Burned This Year In The Yukon Than Canada's Entire Fire Season Last Year

The Yukon is experiencing a very active year in terms of the number of fires ignited and the number of hectares burned when compared to past averages.

According to the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Center (CIFFC), which provides operational fire-control services, as well as management and information services to its Member Agencies, last year all of Canada's provinces and territories burned just short of 700,000 hectares after a total fire season. This year the Yukon has burned around 838,000 hectares. This total also compares to 5,100 hectares of forest burned this time last year in the Yukon.

In past years, averages burned in the Yukon for the total fire season is in the range of 30,000 to 40,000 hectares, with the exception of the Yukon's ten year average at just over 47,000 hectares. The year of 2004 has already burned that much multiplied by approximately 24 times.

The number of fires ignited this fire season in the Yukon is also above average. At this time last year the Yukon had around 50 fire starts, while the number of fire starts this year is currently 182.

These high numbers are greatly due to the abnormal temperatures which the Yukon has experienced in June. Record temperatures were recorded in many parts of the Yukon. The June Climate Review shows that every community airport set an average of about eight records that month. An unofficial record in Swift River shows the hottest day ever recorded in the Yukon at 37C, if accepted officially.

The weather prompted an excellent atmosphere for fuels to burn rapidly, especially in areas where there are overly mature forests. Temperatures are expected to increase to the upper 20's by Tuesday. A drying trend is on the way. The temperature is forecasted to once again heat up for approximately five days next week. Fire activity is expected to increase and there is potential for new starts.

Yukon Fires Being Actioned
Kloo Lake HJ#06 0.2 hectares Crews are cold-trailing fire today.
Kalzas Range CA#14 400 hectares Fire is in a wilderness zone.
Detour Lake CA#15 1,500 hectares Fire is in a wilderness zone.
McQuesten Lake MA#21 0.25 hectares In transitional zone. Was actioned by a helicopter and an initial attack crew. It was declared out at 11 p.m. last night.
East Of Beaver River MA#22 8 hectares Fire is in a wilderness zone.
Primrose River XY#19 100 hectares Fire is in a wilderness zone. It is being mapped. No values are being threatened.
Yukon Fires Being Actioned
Goldfields Complex DA #9,10, 12, 21,30, 37 over 134,000 hectares Dempster(30): Smoke will be in the area for the next few days. Crews are continuing to be successful on the west and south flanks of the fire. There is expected growth in the east. Dominion(10): Air tankers actioning west flank of fire. Expected growth on east flank. Firefighting activities may result in temporary closures of the highway. French Gulch(21): Crews are planning to conduct a burnout on its northeast corner. Haystack(09): Crews are planning to conduct a burnout at Ruby Mountain.
Frances Lake WL#17 approx. 25,000 hectares Crews are focused on site protection. Fire has shown almost no activity around Robert Campbell Highway.
Scottie Creek BC#09 180 hectares Crews have put a 50 foot black trail around the fire.
Thomas Creek RR#17 1,400 hectares Fire being monitored. No threat to any structures.
Rob Roy Creek DA#37 4 hectares Fire is being demobalized.
Solitary Creek XY#17 2,500 hectares There are no values at risk. Fire is being assessed today.

Advisories

The North Klondike Highway is now open, but may close again on short notice. As well, the Robert Campbell Highway is now open, though the situation on that highway can also change on short notice. Travelers are urged to phone the Yukon Road Report for current updates at 867-667-3710 or 1-877-456-7623 before traveling.

There is an information center set up at Robert Service School in Dawson for fire information. There is also a fire briefing on Dawson's local channel 11 at 9 p.m., taped in the ancillary room of Robert Service School nightly. This briefing will discuss not only fire but weather issues, emergency measures, fire control and more if applicable. People are also invited to come to the briefing at the Robert Service School.

There have been 182 fires in the Yukon burning over 838, 000 hectares of forest, and 157 of those fires are currently active.

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For Yukon Wildfire updates, call 1-800-826-4750
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Current Fire Danger Ratings
Burning Restrictions
2004 Bulletin Archive