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2003 Bulletin Archive

Wildfire Bulletin #25

July 11, 2003 - 12:15 PM

TWO HUMAN-CAUSED FIRES IN HILLCREST

WHITEHORSE -Yukon Wildland Fire Management firefighters and the Whitehorse City Fire Department responded to two human-caused fires in the wooded area between Hillcrest and Valleyview in Whitehorse Thursday afternoon.

"Things are drying out again and the fire hazard is going up. This could have been very dangerous," said Yukon Duty Officer Al Beaver. "Fortunately, the Whitehorse City Fire Department got there in time and extinguished the fires."

The spot-sized fires were lit approximately 200 to 300 metres apart from each other, one in some grass and the other in a lightly treed spot. They were located adjacent to the old Tank Farm, where the city used to store fuel tanks. No tanks are housed there now, but there is a microwave site nearby. The trails in the area are much used by Whitehorse residents, and the RCMP has been notified of the fires.

Of the 52 fires this season, only eight have been caused by lightning, while all the others have been caused by humans. The fires have burned over 5000 hectares of forest.

There have been a considerable number of lighting strikes, especially in northern, northeastern and central Yukon over the past 24 hours. In an average year, half of Yukon's forest fires are caused by lightning. While patrol planes go out to look for smoke every day these days, the public's role in spotting forest fires is essential. Please be on the lookout for smoke, and if you see suspicious smoke or a forest fire, please call the toll-free wildfire reporting line at 1-888-798-FIRE (3473).

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For Yukon Wildfire updates, call 1-800-826-4750
Report Wildfires - 1-888-798-FIRE (3473)

Current Fire Danger Ratings
Burning Restrictions
2003 Bulletin Archive