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Department of Community Services
2003 - Yukon Wildfire Bulletins
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Current Fire Danger Ratings Wildfire Bulletin #35 August 03, 2003 - 2:30 PM A TOTAL OF 60 YUKON FIREFIGHTERS IN ALBERTA AND B.C. WHITEHORSE - Twenty-one more Yukon Wildland Fire Management firefighters are expected to head to Merritt, British Columbia, Monday, to aid with fire suppression efforts. That brings the total of Yukon firefighters in Alberta and B.C. to 60. "The wildfire situation both in B.C. and Alberta is critical at the moment," said Yukon Duty Officer Mike Sparks. "Fortunately, the fire danger rating in Yukon is so low that we can afford to provide the much-needed assistance." A widespread open fire ban is in effect in B.C., and the province has declared a state of emergency due to wildfires in the Thompson-Nicola regional district. Firefighters are working on protecting lives and property from three large interface fires in the Kamloops area. These fires have already destroyed some structures. Last Thursday, nine initial attack firefighters went from Yukon to Jasper National Park, and on Friday, another nine initial attack firefighters left for Wood Buffalo National Park in Alberta. In addition, a vehicle carrying Yukon waterpumps, hoses, sprinklers and more equipment left Saturday to Parks Canada in Banff. Furthermore, Yukon's group of three Firecat Airtankers is stationed in Whitecourt, Alberta, and the DC-6 is located in Abbotsford, B.C. Sparks said the airtankers are in the air for six to eight hours each day, actioning wildfires. Yukon's Planning and Science Supervisor, Al Beaver, is also located in Kamloops, B.C., working on fire behavoiur predictions. The crew of 20 firefighters that left on July 21 to fight the Chilko Lake fire near Williams Lake, B.C., is still working on that fire, which is now estimated to be over 15,000 hectares. Half a dozen of them will return home early this week, while the others will continue fighting B.C. fires after three days of rest. The ones that will return, along with another 17 firefighters that have not left Yukon, will be stationed throughout the territory, said Sparks. This sharing of resources is done under the Canada-wide Mutual Aid Resource Sharing Agreement. "The MARS agreement allows us to recall both aircraft and crews back on a short notice if the need arises," said Sparks. "Under normal circumstances, we would not send this many people and resources out of the territory, but these are not normal circumstances. With the critical situation in B.C. and Alberta, and the fact that we expect cool weather and wide-scattered rain showers throughout the territory at least until Wednesday, which will keep our fire danger rating low, we are able to provide assistance where it is needed." No new fires have been reported in Yukon since last Monday. The 66 fires in Yukon this season have burned 7,641 hectares of forest. In an average season, Yukon wildfires burn a total of 120,000 hectares. -30- For Yukon Wildfire updates, call 1-800-826-4750 Current Fire Danger Ratings |