Department of Community Services
2008 - Yukon Wildfire Bulletins
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Current Fire Danger Ratings Wildfire Bulletin #30 August 11, 2008 - 11:00 AM Firefighters Quick to Contain Fire Near Carcross A small fire, believed to be human-caused, was discovered in the Whitehorse fire district at approximately 7:30 p.m. Friday evening. The half-hectare fire was discovered roughly five kilometres down the Carcross Road and an estimated one kilometre from the highway. Upon notification, the First Nation crew based in Carcross immediately responded along with support from the Carcross volunteer fire department. The DC-6 airtanker group was also deployed from Watson Lake in addition to a Wildland Fire Management initial attack crew by helicopter from Whitehorse. “Due to the proximity of this fire to Carcross we responded with a number of firefighting resources,” said Duty Officer Lorne Harris. “It was very fortunate that the First Nation crew and volunteer firefighters were so quick to action the fire and then have it contained.” The Carcross area fire was one of four new wildfires discovered over the weekend in the territory as three new lightning caused fires were reported in the Watson Lake district. On Friday afternoon, just before 5:00 p.m. a 0.8 hectare fire was discovered near Spencer Creek, 60 kilometres west of Watson Lake. The DC-6 airtanker group and ground crews were immediately deployed and the fire was soon contained and is expected to be fully extinguished by Sunday evening. “This fire had the potential to be much worse because of the fire’s aggressive behavior and the fact it was burning just five kilometres from the highway,” said Harris. “Fortunately the response was excellent from both the air and the ground and the fire was brought under control.” On Saturday afternoon at about 3:30 p.m. a 15 hectare fire was discovered 150 kilometres north of Watson Lake near Francis Lake. The fire is now an estimated 50 hectares but is burning in a wilderness zone with no values at immediate risk and therefore is currently just being monitored by officials. Less than two hours later another fire was reported two kilometers from the Spencer Creek fire. The DC-6 airtanker group was again deployed along with firefighters and the .01 hectare fire was contained and is hoped to be officially called out by Sunday night. With the recent activity there have now been 62 fires in the Yukon this summer burning over 15,000 hectares of forest. The public is reminded that they are required to obtain a burning permit to burn grass, brush or debris in the territory between April 1 and September 30 and burning permits are suspended wherever the fire danger rating is moderate or higher. Wildland Fire Management would like to thank the public for their continued cooperation in reporting wildfires. If you see a wildfire please call 1-888-798-FIRE (3473) -30- For Yukon Wildfire updates, call 1-800-826-4750 Current Fire Danger Ratings |