Department of Community Services
2009 - Yukon Wildfire Bulletins
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Current Fire Danger Ratings Wildfire Bulletin #30 July 16, 2009 - 10:15 AM Caution Urged for Paddlers on Teslin River Yukon Wildland Fire Management officials are urging the public to use caution if traveling on the Teslin River. A large wildfire in the area, 60 kilometres northeast of Whitehorse, remains active and is now burning on both sides of the river. “We are asking paddlers, as a safety precaution, to avoid the area if possible,” said Yukon Duty Officer Lorne Harris. “The fire is very active and we expect it to burn for quite some time.” If you do choose to paddle the Teslin River near the impacted area here are some recommendations: • Do not stop under any circumstances in the area of the fire. • Keep to the middle of the river. • Limit your travel through the fire area to the morning, as the fire is most active in the middle of the day and early evening. Fire officials are monitoring the fire closely but at this time, it is burning in a remote area. Meanwhile, significant fire behavior has occurred on a number of active fires in the Dawson and Carmacks area. The fire burning in the Dawson District near Valley Creek, 90 kilometres south of Dawson City, is now an estimated 31,000 hectares and burning on both sides of the Stewart River. Last night retardant was dropped on a value in the area and today ground crews will be establishing structural protection. Elsewhere in the Dawson district, the fire burning near Iron Creek, 120 kilometres south of Dawson City, experienced very aggressive fire behavior Wednesday and has now been accurately mapped at 13, 400 hectares. A mining camp has been identified in the area but is currently not at risk as the fire is burning away from it. This fire is being monitored closely. Also in Dawson, the 3500-hectare fire burning near 50 Mile Creek, 90 kilometres west of Dawson City, remains active but is currently burning 6.5 kilometres from the closest mining camp. In the Carmacks district, the 4015-hectare fire burning 65 kilometres east of Carmacks near the Little Salmon River remains active. On Wednesday, aerial ignition was conducted to prevent the fire from moving towards an identified value near the mouth of the river. This was successful and structural protection is now in place. The public is advised that smoke may be visible at times in the area from Dawson to Whitehorse because of the current fire activity. Motorists may also encounter delays on the Robert Campbell Highway depending on the fire behavior and the necessary work being undertaken by crews and officials in the area. Their patience is much appreciated. 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). This season there have been 58 fires in the territory burning more than 57,562 hectares of forest. Below: The Whitehorse 11 fire crosses the Teslin River
-30- For Yukon Wildfire updates, call 1-800-826-4750 Current Fire Danger Ratings |
