Department of Community Services
2009 - Yukon Wildfire Bulletins
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Current Fire Danger Ratings Wildfire Bulletin #33 July 23, 2009 - 9:30 AM One New Fire in Haines Junction; More Outside Resources Set to Arrive One new human caused fire was discovered in the territory Wednesday burning in the Haines Junction district. Highways employees working near Otter Falls discovered the fire at 12:07 p.m. Upon notification, an Initial Attack crew was dispatched by Rotary Wing helicopter. The 0.1-hectare fire was contained quickly by crews and is expected to be fully extinguished Thursday. Also on Wednesday, Yukon Wildland Fire Management assisted the B.C. Forest Service in responding to a fire burning near the Graham Inlet at Tagish Lake. Three Yukon firefighters and a Rotary Wing helicopter responded and were able to contain the fire and turn suppression control over to B.C. “Providing assistance to B.C. as we did Wednesday is not uncommon during a fire season,” said Yukon Duty Officer Mike Sparks. “In this situation we were able to provide quick response by helicopter and contain the fire to a small size.” Meanwhile, the 14,250 hectare fire burning 65 kilometres east of Carmacks continues to burn. On Wednesday, various suppression tactics were successful and structural protection remains in place on all identified values in the area. The Robert Campbell Highway is currently open however, motorists are advised they may encounter delays and possible closures. As a safety precaution, the Little Salmon Lake campground remains closed. Thirty firefighters, 4 helicopters, various pieces of equipment and several senior fire specialists remain on site and Wildland Fire Management personnel are working closely with the R.C.M.P., Yukon Highways & Public Works, and the Yukon Energy Corporation to ensure public safety and minimal disruptions. A 12.4-hectare holdover lightning caused fire, discovered July 18 burning 95 kilometres east of Carmacks, is now in mop-up stage and it is expected resources will be demobilized Thursday. In the Whitehorse district, the large fire burning 60 kilometres northeast of the city is now 2200 hectares in size and continues to burn on both sides of the Teslin River. Identified values in the area have been successfully protected and paddlers are asked to limit their travel in the fire area to the morning when the fire is least active. In total, there are currently 32 active fires in the territory. The majority of these fires are burning in the wilderness zone and not threatening any values. Fire officials continue to monitor these fires closely. On Thursday, a number of firefighters and other Fire Management staff from Alberta (34 total), will be arriving in the territory to provide assistance with the current fire situation. They will be briefed in Whitehorse and then deployed to various districts as needed. Fire officials are urging the public to be cautious when burning. High winds and little forecast precipitation over the five days is expected to keep the fire danger rating at the extreme level in much of the territory. The public is also advised that smoke may be visible at times in the area from Dawson to Whitehorse because of the current fire activity. This season there have been 65 fires in the territory burning more than 76, 059 hectares of forest. -30- For Yukon Wildfire updates, call 1-800-826-4750 Current Fire Danger Ratings |