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Department of Community Services
2003 - Yukon Wildfire Bulletins
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Current Fire Danger Ratings Wildfire Bulletin #18 June 23, 2003 - 10:00 AM FIRE NEAR THE EAGLE PLAINS LODGE WHITEHORSE – The Yukon Wildland Fire Management’s crews responded to a fire burning about seven kilometres away from the Eagle Plains Lodge on the Dempster Highway on Saturday evening. "No lightning strikes have appeared in the area for over a month, and it looks as if the fire started in a gravel pit on the bank of the Eagle River, so we suspect it is yet another human-caused fire," said Yukon Duty Officer Gordon Dumas. "It is likely this is an abandoned campfire that grew out of hand." The fire was measured at about 150 hectares Sunday evening. A three-person crew from Dawson City initially responded to the fire, and two more crews arrived on the scene Sunday afternoon. Currently, a total of 12 firefighters along with a helicopter are working on the fire. The values at risk have been identified as the Eagle Plains Lodge and a NorthwesTel microwave tower. Attack and protection plans for the lodge and the tower have been developed. "The winds were favourable yesterday," said Dumas. "The southerly winds directed the fire away from the lodge." In addition, a Dawson Wildland Fire Management crew was kept busy Sunday by three abandoned campfires on the Dome in Dawson City. All fires were human-caused and all were extinguished. So far this season, 40 fires have burned approximately 2000 hectares. All but two have been caused by humans. In an average year, half of Yukon’s forest fires are caused by humans. We are currently entering the peak lighting season, and officials ask people to be on the lookout for smoke. Lightning-caused fires can smolder for a few days, and flare up once weather conditions warm up and dry out. Please report all forest fires to 1-888-798-FIRE (3473). -30- For Yukon Wildfire updates, call 1-800-826-4750 Current Fire Danger Ratings |