Department of Community Services
2009 - Yukon Wildfire Bulletins
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Current Fire Danger Ratings Wildfire Bulletin #23 July 06, 2009 - 11:00 AM Fire Activity Increases over Weekend Hot temperatures, minimal precipitation and increased lightning resulted in four new fires in the territory over the weekend as well as an increase in size on a number of fires that were already active. The four new weekend fires were all lightning caused with three in the Dawson district and one in Whitehorse. The first incident on the weekend was detected Friday evening at about 8:45 pm near 50 Mile Creek, 65 kilometres west of Dawson. The fire is now 300 hectares in size but burning in the Wildland Fire Management Wilderness Zone. Sprinkler kits were put in place to protect some mining facilities in the area. On Saturday morning, a fire was detected by MODIS satellite near Scroggie Creek, 115 kilometres south of Dawson in the wilderness zone. There are no values at immediate risk. Also on Saturday, there was a fire in the Whitehorse district discovered just after 12:30 p.m. above Lake Laberge on the 30 Mile River. The small fire, 0.3 hectares in size, was actioned by an airtanker group and crews successfully extinguished it Sunday. The fourth fire of the weekend was detected Sunday evening at approximately 7:00 p.m. near 60 Mile Road west of Dawson and south of the Top of the World Highway. Although located in the wilderness zone some mining camp facilities were identified near the fire. As a result, officials deployed both airtanker groups and three initial attack crews and the 6-hectare fire is currently being contained. Meanwhile, the fire burning near Little Salmon Lake, 65 kilometres east of Carmacks, increased in size over the weekend and is now an estimated 1200 hectares. No values are immediately threatened and it is moving away from the lake. The fire is located approximately five kilometres from the Robert Campbell Highway and therefore motorists may encounter smoke. “Due to the fire’s growth the amount of smoke in the area near the Robert Campbell and North Klondike highway has increased,” said Yukon Duty Officer Dave Milne. “We are developing contingency plans should the fire encroach upon the Robert Campbell Highway and the fire is being closely monitored.” The lightning caused fire in the Whitehorse district 60 kilometres northeast of the city discovered June 11 was active over the weekend and is now 400 hectares. As a result, smoke has increased and may be visible in Whitehorse and the surrounding areas. Fortunately, the fire is burning in the wilderness zone with no values threatened. “We received a number of calls from the public over the weekend regarding the smoke created by both the Carmacks and Whitehorse fires,” said Milne. “We appreciate the public’s concern and want them to know that more smoke may be visible from these fires as well as increased activity in Alaska.” A recent drying trend has increased the fire danger ratings across the territory. The Carmacks and Dawson district is at the extreme rating with Mayo currently at the high rating. With the weather forecast calling for the warm and dry conditions to continue through the week fire officials are urging the public to be safe when burning. 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. With the recent fire activity, there have now been 49 fires in the territory burning approximately 33, 812 hectares of forest. -30- For Yukon Wildfire updates, call 1-800-826-4750 Current Fire Danger Ratings |