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2003 Bulletin Archive

Wildfire Bulletin #34

August 01, 2003 - 9:30 AM

YUKON FIREFIGHTERS DEPLOYED TO ALBERTA

WHITEHORSE - Nine more Yukon firefighters were deployed out of the territory last night to provide suppression support with the on-going fire activity in Alberta.

The firefighters left Whitehorse at approximately 7:00 P.M. and were scheduled to arrive in Jasper early this morning.

"The fire situation in both Alberta and B.C. is critical right now," said Duty Officer Mike Sparks. "Both provinces are expecting warm temperatures and dry lightning, so it is important that we provide as much support as possible."

There are forty firefighters in the territory available to fight fire, if necessary. Currently, the fire danger rating is low throughout most of Yukon, with rain forecast through the weekend in most areas.

With the recent deployment, there are now 30 Yukon firefighters working in B.C. and Alberta, as well as three Firecat airtankers and one DC-6. Several pieces of fire equipment have also been sent to B.C. The 20 firefighters dispatched to B.C. on July 21, remain in Williams Lake, where they are battling a 6200 hectare fire burning northeast of Chilko Lake. The three Firecats are in Whitecourt, Alberta, while the DC-6 is stationed in Fort St. John, B.C.

So far this season there have been 66 fires in the territory and as a result over 7600 hectares of forest has burned. Last year at this time, 66 fires had burned over 36, 000 hectares of forest.

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Current Fire Danger Ratings
Burning Restrictions
2003 Bulletin Archive