Department of Community Services
2009 - Yukon Wildfire Bulletins
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Current Fire Danger Ratings Wildfire Bulletin #29 July 15, 2009 - 10:30 AM Hot Temperatures Increase Fire Behavior Hot temperatures and minimal precipitation resulted in one new fire and increased fire behavior on a number of fires Tuesday. Initial Attack firefighters were quick to respond to a lightning caused fire burning on the east side of Lake Laberge. The fire was discovered while Wildland Fire Management staff were conducting aerial monitoring of fires in Carmacks and Whitehorse. Firefighters were deployed by helicopter and managed to contain the fire at 1.5 hectares. They camped overnight and will begin mop-up work this morning. “This fire was the result of the recent lightning activity in the Whitehorse area,” said Yukon Duty Officer Lorne Harris. “Tuesday was a very active fire day for us due to the hot and dry conditions and although a cold front is moving through the territory today it will bring minimal precipitation to the Dawson and Carmacks area.” The hot and dry conditions Tuesday resulted in increased fire behavior on a number of large fires burning in the territory. In the Dawson district, the fire burning near 50 Mile Creek (DA17), 90 kilometres west of Dawson City, was very active Tuesday and is now more than 3500 hectares in size. Today fire officials will be doing aerial mapping and surveillance of the area. Elsewhere in Dawson, the fire near Iron Creek (DA18), 120 kilometres south of Dawson City, experienced aggressive fire behavior and is now more than 2500 hectares. Firefighters were deployed to the area to maintain site protection on a nearby mining camp. As well, smoke was visible in Pelly, Minto and Carmacks and may continue today depending on the fire’s behavior. The large fire burning east of Carmacks was very active Tuesday and grew considerably with smoke columns in excess of 15,000 feet. Firefighters and officials are onsite and today aerial mapping, surveillance and further assessment of the current fire situation is planned. In the Whitehorse district, the large fire burning 60 kilometres northeast of the city has grown significantly and spread to the west. As well, the fire has burnt up the Teslin River and jumped the river in several places. With the increase in activity and warming conditions forecast for the weekend the public is asked to be cautious when burning and report any wildfires they notice to 1-888-798-FIRE (3473). There have now been 58 fires in the territory this year burning more than 45,000 hectares of forest. -30- For Yukon Wildfire updates, call 1-800-826-4750 Current Fire Danger Ratings |