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Department of Community Services
2009 - Yukon Wildfire Bulletins
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Current Fire Danger Ratings Wildfire Bulletin #27 July 09, 2009 - 3:30 PM Three Human Caused Fires Reported in Whitehorse District Three new human caused fires were reported in the Whitehorse District today. The first was reported by a member of the public shortly after midnight. The 0.1-hectare fire was burning on the east side of Lake Laberge, three kilometers away from structures. Firefighters were dispatched this morning and extinguished the fire. The same Initial Attack crew also responded to a fire reported by another member of the public early this morning 0.1 kilometres from the Takhini Hotsprings Road. The spot fire was quickly contained and extinguished. Both fires are the result of campfires being abandoned and not properly extinguished. A third human caused fire was discovered Thursday afternoon near Jack Fish Bay along the South Klondike Highway. The fire is the result of an abandoned vehicle being lit on fire. Firefighters were quick to respond and put out the 0.1-hectare fire. “These incidents are extremely disconcerting considering the current conditions across the territory,” said Yukon Duty Officer Mike Sparks. “It is tinder dry and we are getting increased lightning activity, therefore we don’t want to have to respond to preventable human caused fires.” The fire burning 65 kilometres east of Carmacks was estimated at 4015 hectares in size earlier today and is very active, having approached within three kilometers of the Robert Campbell Highway. No values are at immediate risk, but Wildland Fire Officials are developing a contingency plan should the fire advance any further towards the road. There is a possibility that the highway will be closed later this afternoon depending on the fire behavior. Three helicopters are currently working the fire. Thunderstorms are moving in west of Carmacks, bringing lightning and erratic winds to the area. More fires are expected later today due to these conditions. With weather forecasts calling for hot and dry conditions as well as increased lightning activity in much of the territory, one airtanker group and 24 firefighters from British Columbia have been brought in to lend support to Yukon Wildland Fire Management resources. The smoky haze over the southern portion of the territory is the result of active fires burning in Yukon and Alaska, including the Carmacks fire and a large fire burning 65 kilometres northeast of Whitehorse. Smoke is expected to linger in the area for the next few days. With the recent fire activity, there have now been 54 fires in the territory burning approximately 37, 796 hectares of forest. -30- For Yukon Wildfire updates, call 1-800-826-4750 Current Fire Danger Ratings |