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Department of Community Services
2003 - Yukon Wildfire Bulletins
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Current Fire Danger Ratings Wildfire Bulletin #17 June 19, 2003 - 10:00 AM DC-6 AIRTANKER AND BIRDDOG TO SASKATCHEWAN WHITEHORSE – The Yukon Wildland Fire Management’s DC-6 Airtanker, along with a Piper Aerostar Birddog, flew this morning to Saskatchewan. The crew will be one of 13 airtankers and 22 helicopters ready to action forest fires expected to start following a mass of lighting strikes predicted throughout the province over next few days. With the recent rain in Yukon, the fire danger rating has dropped to low in all areas. Meanwhile, all of Saskatchewan is placed at high to extreme. "We always have the ability to recall them immediately if we have the need," said Yukon Duty Officer Gordon Dumas. "We are not sending any firefighters, as we ourselves are heading into our peak lightning season, and when firefighters are sent, it is usually a longer commitment than a few days." The DC-6 and the birddog are expected to land in La Ronge, Sask., around 1 p.m. today, and are expected to offer support to Saskatchewan for two to three days. As of yesterday, 13 fires were burning in the province, and many more are expected to start with the lightning strikes. Officials are urging people to burn responsibly. "We should be getting nice weather this weekend, and with solstice and the bike relay going on, we want to urge people to be careful with their campfires," said Dumas. "A few days of hot and dry weather can quickly raise the fire danger rating level." Choose your site carefully and prepare your campfire by removing all leaves, twigs and other flammable material from the area. Use a proper fire pit or make a ring of rocks to build your fire in. Never leave it unattended, and always keep a pail of water and a shovel close by to extinguish your fire. Finally, make sure your campfire is fully extinguished before you go to bed or leave the area. -30- For Yukon Wildfire updates, call 1-800-826-4750 Current Fire Danger Ratings |