Department of Community Services
2009 - Yukon Wildfire Bulletins
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Current Fire Danger Ratings Wildfire Bulletin #8 June 02, 2009 - 10:00 AM Airtankers Action BC Fire, Outside Crews Headed North The Yukon Firecats airtanker group was deployed to British Columbia early Monday evening to work a large fire burning approximately 20 kilometres from Liard Hot Springs. The four aircraft (three airtankers and a birddog) were requested by B.C. fire officials just before 5 p.m. and worked the aggressive fire, burning on both sides of the highway, until midnight. The fire is an estimated 80 hectares in size and did delay highway travel last night and more delays can be expected today. It is not known at this time if the Firecats will return to the fire today. In the Yukon, good progress has been made by the 18 firefighters working the fire burning 20 kilometres northeast of Mayo. It is expected the 53 hectare fire will be extinguished within the next couple of days as the fire is very cool with little visible smoke. In the Dawson district the large fire burning in the Valley Creek area 90 kilometres southeast of Dawson City has doubled in size and is now an estimated 3500 hectares. The fire is burning in a wilderness zone with no values currently at risk but is creating a significant amount of smoke that may be visible in Dawson City and surrounding areas. Meanwhile, seven Initial Attack crews from British Columbia are set to arrive in the Yukon Tuesday afternoon following a request by the Yukon Fire Centre. The 22 personnel from Castelgar and Prince George will be briefed at the Yukon Fire Centre and then deployed as needed throughout the territory. “The forecasted warm and dry weather for the Yukon will bring a dramatic increase in the fire potential,” said Yukon Duty Officer Dave Milne. “We are also expecting some lightning later in the week that will probably trigger a number of fires.” The sharing of resources between province and territory is not uncommon and is facilitated through the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre. Under the agreement resources can be recalled to their home base on 24 hours notice. Fire officials are urging citizens to be vigilant with fires in the territory and remind the public that they are required to obtain a burning permit to burn grass, brush or debris in the territory between April 1 and September 30. Burning permits will be suspended if the fire danger rating is moderate or higher. This season there have been 9 fires in the territory burning approximately 3660 hectares of forest. -30- For Yukon Wildfire updates, call 1-800-826-4750 Current Fire Danger Ratings |