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Department of Community Services
2003 - Yukon Wildfire Bulletins
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Current Fire Danger Ratings Wildfire Bulletin #7 June 02, 2003 - 10:30 AM CREWS RESPOND TO THE LARGEST FIRE OF THE SEASON WHITEHORSE – Yukon Wildland Fire Management personnel is investigating a fire estimated to be between 70 and 100 hectares in size, which is currently burning along the Wheaton River, between Mount McNeil and Mount Ward. Yukon Duty Officer Mike Sparks said the fire was human caused, and added that it appears to have been deliberately set. A Fire Management helicopter spotted the fire during a routine patrol flight over the area late Sunday afternoon. The helicopter, along with a three person initial attack firefighting crew, responded to the fire. Fire Management personnel are going out this morning to investigate the fire, and Sparks said a plan to contain the fire was being developed. "It is burning in a very steep terrain, and that's going to make it difficult," said Sparks. Currently, no structures are at risk. The Skookum Mine is located about 10 kilometres north east of the fire, but it is not threatened at this time, said Sparks. Due to the wind and weather conditions, Whitehorse residents can expect to see and smell drift smoke today. Meanwhile, two other fires were extinguished over the weekend. On Sunday afternoon, debris burning at the Canyon Dump in Haines Junction got out of hand due to the 30 km/hr wind that was blowing at the time. "It was a close call," said Sparks. "If the fire had gone 10 more feet, it would have hit the beetle killed spruce that is in the area, and we would have had a very different picture." An initial attack crew quickly extinguished the .2 hectare fire. On Saturday, a .2 hectare fire was caused by a tree that fell on a power line on the Tagish Road near Crag Lake. The Tagish Volunteer Fire Department arrived first on the scene and had nearly extinguished the fire when it was turned over to a Wildland Fire Management crew. The total of 18 fires in the territory this season have burned approximately 82 hectares. All but one of the fires have been caused by people. With the brisk winds in the forecast today, and the fire danger rating for Whitehorse and Carmacks still remaining at Extreme, the public is asked to use caution when doing any kind of burning. Please report any wildfire activity to the toll-free wildfire reporting line at 1-888-798-FIRE (3473). -30- For Yukon Wildfire updates, call 1-800-826-4750 Current Fire Danger Ratings |