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Department of Community Services
2003 - Yukon Wildfire Bulletins
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Current Fire Danger Ratings Wildfire Bulletin #22 June 30, 2003 - 10:00 AM NORTHERN LIGHTNING TRIGGERS SIX NEW FIRES WHITEHORSE -Yukon fire officials were pleased to report no human-caused forest fires over the holiday weekend. However, heavy northern lightning activity ignited six new fires, all within the Klondike fire district. At 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, resources were deployed to Dawson's eighth fire of the season located approximately 30 kilometers southeast of Dawson City. Six firefighters, two helicopters and an Airtanker were dispatched and the fire was quickly contained to one hectare in size. "The area was scanned early this morning and no hot spots or smoke was found," said Duty Officer Lorne Harris. "The fire should be officially extinguished later this afternoon." Also on Saturday, shortly after 6:00 p.m., officials responded to a forest fire reported near the Dempster Highway's Vadzath Creek. Upon arriving an additional three fires were located, all of which are located in remote parts of the Old Crow sub-district. Combined, the fires total over 800 hectares in size. Of the four Old Crow fires the one being monitored the closest is burning 40 kilometers from the Northwest Territories' border and the town of Fort McPherson. The Northwest Territory Fire Centre has been notified and today aircraft will be flying the fire area and reevaluating the situation. On Sunday, the Dawson lookout tower spotted a forest fire approximately eight kilometers from Dawson City. Two helicopters, an airtanker and several firefighters were deployed to the fire, also believed to be lightning-caused. "Anytime a fire is located close to town we send all our available resources," said Harris. "Although no structures or values are currently at risk the area is considered a high priority zone." With the weekend activity the fire total in the Yukon is now at 46. As a result approximately 3700 hectares of forest has burned. Yukon Wildland Fire Management personnel would like to remind the public to use caution when conducting any kind of burning and to be on the lookout for any forest fires as we are now in our peak lightning season. -30- For Yukon Wildfire updates, call 1-800-826-4750 Current Fire Danger Ratings |