Department of Community Services
2009 - Yukon Wildfire Bulletins
|
Current Fire Danger Ratings Wildfire Bulletin #21 July 02, 2009 - 10:00 AM Fire Near North Klondike Highway Under Investigation A member of the traveling public reported the twelfth fire in the Dawson District at 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday. The fire, an estimated one hectare in size, was located adjacent to the North Klondike Highway, approximately 90 kilometres southeast of Dawson City near Gravel Lake. Traffic was controlled on the highway for an hour while a DC-6 airtanker group worked the fire near midnight. Six Initial Attack firefighters were also deployed to the fire and worked on it through the night. The fire is now under control and will likely be extinguished today. It is believed to be human-caused, and the R.C.M.P. is involved in the investigation. “Conditions are drying out quite dramatically in the central Yukon,” said Duty Officer David Milne. “This fire could have been much larger with some wind but fortunately that was not the case.” With the weather forecast calling for warmer and dryer conditions over the weekend, more people are likely to enjoy the outdoors and as a result, fire officials are urging the public to practice campfire safety. Remember to douse the fire thoroughly and stir until the ashes are cold to touch. Wildland Fire Management reminds the public that burning permits are mandatory to burn grass, brush or debris in the territory and that burning permits will be suspended if the fire danger rating is moderate of higher. This season there have been 40 fires in the territory burning approximately 32, 048 hectares of forest.
-30- For Yukon Wildfire updates, call 1-800-826-4750 Current Fire Danger Ratings |
