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Department of Community Services
2003 - Yukon Wildfire Bulletins
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Current Fire Danger Ratings Wildfire Bulletin #27 July 18, 2003 - 10:15 AM HUMAN-CAUSED FIRES A SERIOUS CONCERN WHITEHORSE -Yukon Wildland Fire Management officials responded to two fires yesterday afternoon, one of which was the third human-caused incident within Whitehorse city limits this week. At 3:55 p.m. a call came in from the public reporting a fire on Porter Creek's greenbelt trail off Holly Street. Three firefighters and a pumper truck were immediately deployed and the fire was called out at 5:30 p.m. Earlier in the week, Fire Management was notified by Whitehorse city firefighters of two potentially serious incidents. On Wednesday afternoon an abandoned campfire was reported near Wolf Creek campground. Although quickly extinguished by city crews, the fire did have potential to spread as a result of the gusty winds in the area. Also on Wednesday, city firefighters responded to, and quickly put out, a human-caused fire in the Macintyre sub-division off Hamilton Boulevard. "The potential all three of these fires had is devastating to imagine," said Duty Officer Lorne Harris. "The public needs to be aware of how dry it is out there right now." The second incident yesterday was a lightning-caused fire located 60 approximately kilometres east of Beaver Creek near Wellesley Lake. The fire was reported by the public and a patrol plane was immediately dispatched. The fire is currently 20 hectares in size and is burning in a wilderness zone. Officials plan to fly over the fire area in the next day or two to reevaluate the situation. Fire Management personnel are also going to be closely monitoring Dawson City this weekend as a large amount of campers are expected in the area for the music festival. "Most of our crews have been placed on high alert for the weekend and our resources have been pre-positioned to the areas of high concern," said Harris. "It's crucial that people be responsible with any kind of burning." Fire officials are also asking the public to be on the lookout for any suspicious smoke. We are currently in our peak lightning season and additional fire starts are probable. If you notice any forest fires please report them immediately by calling 1-888-798-FIRE. So far this season the public has reported 28 of the 55 fires in the territory. Of the 55 fires, all but nine have been caused by human carelessness while burning. Over 5100 hectares of forest has burned as a result of these fires. -30- For Yukon Wildfire updates, call 1-800-826-4750 Current Fire Danger Ratings |