Department of Community Services
2009 - Yukon Wildfire Bulletins
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Current Fire Danger Ratings Wildfire Bulletin #24 July 07, 2009 - 10:00 AM Crews Quick to Contain Abandoned Campfire in Carmacks A small fire, 20 kilometres southeast of Carmacks, was discovered Monday afternoon, just before 5:30 p.m. A three-person Initial Attack crew was dispatched by helicopter to the site and successfully contained the 0.1 hectare-fire, burning on a small island near Eagle Rock. The fire was human-caused and is believed to have been the result of an improperly extinguished campfire. “With the current hot and dry conditions and forecast lightning human caused fires are an obvious concern,” said Yukon Duty Officer David Milne. “It’s important anyone burning do so with caution and always ensure your campfire is completely extinguished before you leave the area.” Two large fires in Carmacks and Whitehorse respectively continue to grow in size. The fire burning 65 kilometres east of Carmacks is now estimated to be 3000 hectares in size and remains very active. The fire is approximately five kilometres from the Robert Campbell Highway but fortunately, it is burning away from Little Salmon Lake and currently poses no threat to any values. Fire officials are monitoring the fire closely. In the Whitehorse district, the fire burning 60 kilometres northeast of the city in an identified Wildland Fire Management Wilderness Zone has now grown to 1200 hectares in size and remains active. No values are currently at risk. Officials continue to monitor the fire closely. Smoke from both of these fires is impacting visibility in the southern portion of the territory. Meanwhile, the six-hectare fire burning in the Dawson district near Sixty Mile Road is now fully contained. Firefighters will be on site again today and it is expected to be completely extinguished in the next two to three days. Three other fires burning in the Dawson district in the wilderness zone remain active but do not pose an immediate threat to any values. Fire officials are urging the public to be vigilant when burning as the hot and dry weather and increased lightning activity is forecast to continue throughout much of the territory for the next seven days. In preparation for increased fire activity, 24 Initial Attack firefighters and an Agency Rep from British Columbia are arriving in Whitehorse today. They will be briefed and then dispersed across the territory as required. 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 or higher. With the recent fire activity, there have now been 50 fires in the territory burning approximately 36, 413 hectares of forest. Below: Carmacks 05 Fire burning on a small island near Eagle Rock -30- For Yukon Wildfire updates, call 1-800-826-4750 Current Fire Danger Ratings |
