|Font Size:
|
Contact Us |
Français
Department of Community Services
2003 - Yukon Wildfire Bulletins
|
Current Fire Danger Ratings Wildfire Bulletin #30 July 24, 2003 - 9:45 AM THREE NEW LIGHTNING CAUSED FIRES WHITEHORSE – Yukon Wildland Fire Management officials discovered three new lightning caused fires in remote areas of the Dawson district yesterday afternoon. "These are all holdover fires, caused by lightning," said Yukon Duty Officer Mike Sparks. "We knew they were there, but we weren’t able to get to them before due to heavy smoke." All the fires are burning in remote areas with no identified values at risk. A 200 hectare fire is burning near mile 150 of the Dempster Highway. The second fire is a 45 hectare fire burning near Mountain Creek, and the third fire is a 1027 hectare fire burning near Pothole Lake. "All these fires are considered wilderness fires, and we are monitoring them closely," said Sparks. There are currently 20 active fires in the territory. The fire burning near Indian River, 10 kilometres outside of Dawson City is being fought, while all the others continue to be monitored. "We're making progress on that fire, and we expect to be able to call the crews off by Sunday," said Sparks. Twenty-three Yukon Wildland Fire Management personnel are working on the Chilko Lake fire west of Williams Lake in British Columbia. "The fire they are working on was 100 hectares in size to begin with, but last night it grew to 1000 to 2000 hectares," said Sparks. "They are working on structural protection with crews from N.W.T., Ontario and B.C." Driftsmoke from Alaska and the Northwest Territories lies over much of the territory today. Sparks said there is a large fire in Alaska, north of Old Crow, and the southwesterly wind blows it into Yukon. Sparks said that fire is over 100.000 hectares in size, and added that Yukoners can expect to continue to see this driftsmoke for the next few days. -30- For Yukon Wildfire updates, call 1-800-826-4750 Current Fire Danger Ratings |