Department of Community Services
2008 - Yukon Wildfire Bulletins
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Current Fire Danger Ratings Wildfire Bulletin #7 June 02, 2008 - 10:00 AM Grey Mountain Fire Now Contained Officials with Yukon Wildland Fire Management say a half-hectare fire burning at the north end base of Grey Mountain is now contained and full extinguishment is expected Monday afternoon. At approximately 4 p.m. Sunday afternoon numerous calls from the public notified the Fire Centre of a fire in the Grey Mountain area. Airtankers were immediately dispatched along with Wildland firefighters from Whitehorse and Teslin via helicopter. City firefighters also attempted to provide assistance but due to the fire’s location access from the ground was not possible. “Despite the windy conditions the airtankers were very effective in limiting the fire’s growth,” said Yukon Duty Officer Dave Milne. “We had 12 firefighters working the fire late into the evening Sunday and they were back onsite Monday morning.” Fire officials believe this fire, the third in the Whitehorse district this season, was human caused. Meanwhile, Wildland Fire Management staff was also kept busy in the Watson Lake and Carmacks fire districts over the weekend responding to two small fires. On Sunday morning just after 10 a.m. a 0.1 hectare fire was reported in the Watson Lake area approximately 15 kilometres north of town. Three firefighters were dispatched and the human-caused fire was quickly contained. Later Sunday, just after 5 p.m., a fire was discovered in the Carmacks district approximately 25 kilometres west of Pelly Crossing. Airtankers from Dawson actioned the fire with ground support from three firefighters. Officials say the human-caused fire is now under control. “All three weekend fires are believed to be human-caused so that’s an obvious concern,” explains Milne. “We’re urging the public to use extreme caution whenever they conduct any kind of burning.” If you see a wildfire please report it immediately to 1-888-798 FIRE (3473). The public is reminded that a burning permit is required to burn grass, brush or debris in the territory between April 1 and September 30. Permits will be suspended when the fire danger rating is above the low level. With the weekend activity there have now been 14 fires in the territory burning approximately 7 hectares as a result. -30- For Yukon Wildfire updates, call 1-800-826-4750 Current Fire Danger Ratings |