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Department of Community Services
2003 - Yukon Wildfire Bulletins
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Current Fire Danger Ratings Wildfire Bulletin #11 June 09, 2003 - 10:00 AM FOUR MORE HUMAN-CAUSED FIRES THIS WEEKEND WHITEHORSE – Human carelessness could have ended in a much more serious way this weekend. Yukon firefighters responded to four new fires within the territory and in Northern British Columbia, all caused by people. Yukon Wildland Fire Management personnel and a first nation crew responded to a spot size (less than a hectare) fire in a slash pile within the community of Pelly Crossing late Saturday afternoon. The fire was quickly extinguished. On Sunday, firefighters suppressed two people-caused fires in the McIntyre and Arkell subdivisions in Whitehorse shortly after noon on Sunday. Both fires were burning in forested areas in the subdivisions. "This is a very serious matter," said Yukon Duty Officer Lorne Harris. "The conditions are absolutely extreme in Whitehorse right now. A fire like this can cause very serious damage. With the wind yesterday, the fire could have spread 50 feet per minute." The Whitehorse City Fire Department and Yukon Wildland Fire Management personnel responded to both spot sized fires and extinguished them. The fourth human-caused fire occurred on Friday night in Fraser near the BC/Alaska border, when a pile of railroad ties began to burn. "The Carcross Volunteer Fire Department responded to it on behalf of B.C. Forest Service, and extinguished it," said Harris. Meanwhile, Fire Management personnel continue to monitor the Wheaton River fire and the three fires burning east of Kusawa Lake. With the dry and windy conditions this weekend, these fires have grown in size, but no structures are at risk. Over the weekend, smoke from these fires caused concerns to air traffic from Whitehorse Airport to Atlin and Watson Lake. At least one small aircraft could not fly through the smoke, and returned to Whitehorse. "These fires will continue to emit smoke while the weather conditions are as extreme as they are," said Harris and added that Carcross, Marsh Lake and Whitehorse residents can expect to see smoke for at least the next few days. "But we are keeping a very close eye on these fires, so there is no need to panic." The total of 25 fires in the territory this season have burned approximately 862 hectares. All but one of the fires have been caused by people. On average, 50 per cent of forest fires in the Yukon are caused by people. The fire danger rating is extreme in much of the territory today, and officials are urging the public to please be careful with 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 |