Department of Community Services
2009 - Yukon Wildfire Bulletins
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Current Fire Danger Ratings Wildfire Bulletin #9 June 03, 2009 - 9:15 AM Large Mayo Fire Reported, Safety Urged as Fire Danger Rating Escalates The second wildfire of the season in the Mayo district was reported yesterday afternoon near Reverse Creek, approximately 50 kilometers west of Mayo. The 80 hectare fire was detected by the Mayo tower and is believed to be lightning caused. Upon notification both airtanker groups were immediately deployed as the fire was burning approximately 14 kilometres from the Moose Creek Lodge. The aircraft worked the fire aggressively with support by helicopter and ground crews until the early morning and these resources will be back on the fire today. “The ground crews and aircraft did a really good job preventing the fires further spread last night and that work will continue today,” said Mayo Zone Protection Manager Don Hutton. “Our priority is to protect the values in the area and so far that has been achieved.” Initial Attack firefighters in Whitehorse were quick to extinguish a human caused fire in the Whitehorse district Tuesday afternoon. The spot size fire was burning near the Whitehorse Copper Belt Mine and is believed to be the result of a bonfire being abandoned. “Fires of this nature are very disconcerting,” said Duty Officer Lorne Harris. “With the fire danger high to extreme throughout most of the territory right now we don’t want to be dealing with careless human caused fires.” Currently the fire danger rating is extreme in Dawson, Mayo, Carmacks, Haines Junction and Whitehorse and high in Ross River and Beaver Creek. Meanwhile, 21 firefighters from British Columbia were briefed Tuesday afternoon in Whitehorse and have now been dispersed throughout the territory including two crews to Dawson, Mayo and Carmacks and one crew to Haines Junction. The firefighters were brought in to assist with the expected increase in activity this week. In addition six casual helicopters have been hired and a third airtanker group has been brought in from B.C. 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 11 fires in the territory burning approximately 3740 hectares of forest.
Below: British Columbia firefighters are briefed in Whitehorse prior to deployment.
-30- For Yukon Wildfire updates, call 1-800-826-4750 Current Fire Danger Ratings |
