Department of Community Services
2009 - Yukon Wildfire Bulletins
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Current Fire Danger Ratings Wildfire Bulletin #34 July 24, 2009 - 10:15 AM Extreme Fire Conditions Expected This Weekend Fire officials are preparing for an increase in fire activity this weekend with strong winds, hot temperatures and little precipitation forecast. On Thursday, no new fires were reported in the territory however, strong winds in the Carmacks district did increase fire behavior on the large fire (CA04) burning 65 kilometres east of Carmacks near Little Salmon Lake. The fire is estimated to be 14,250 hectares with 50 firefighters assigned to the fire along with four helicopters and various other pieces of fire equipment. Structural protection units have been deployed along the north shore of Little Salmon Lake as a precautionary measure. On the north bank of Little Salmon River five hot spots were detected which were actioned by firefighters. Crews continue to make good progress on the northern perimeter of the fire and all identified values within a 20-kilometre radius of the fire have been protected with sprinkler kits. Today additional site protection will put on identified values east of the fire. “We are expecting another active day out there with gusty winds,” said Carmacks Duty Officer Gerry Trudeau. “We are making good progress on our strategic plan in an effort to limit further spread to the west.” Sixteen Alberta firefighters arrived in the Carmacks camp Thursday night to assist with the situation. These firefighters are part of the 34 Fire Management staff that arrived from Alberta Thursday afternoon. In addition to Carmacks, the Alberta resources were deployed to Haines Junction and today more crews will be arriving in Mayo and Dawson in anticipation of more activity. Also in the Carmacks district, the fire burning in the wilderness zone near Buffalo Corrals, approximately 50 kilometres southeast of Carmacks, burns aggressively. Officials will monitor the fire’s status, and structural protection units may be activated on values in the area pending the fire’s behavior. Another fire east of Little Salmon Lake is now fully contained and will be demobilized later today. Motorists traveling along the Robert Campbell Highway are being advised that they may encounter smoke this weekend and as a result face delays and possible closures. Meanwhile, the fire at Otter Falls in the Haines Junction district was officially declared out Thursday. It is believed the fire may have been the result of a campfire being abandoned and not properly extinguished. Fire officials are urging the public to ensure they are cautious when having campfires and ensure they are fully extinguished and cold to touch before leaving the area. In the Whitehorse district, the 2200 hectare fire burning 60 kilometres northeast of the city on both sides of the Teslin River continues to be monitored closely by officials. Identified values in the area have been successfully protected. Paddlers are asked to limit their travel in the fire area to the morning when the fire is least active and stay to the centre of the river. The same recommendations are being made for those traveling along the Little Salmon River. In total, there are currently 31 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. The public is reminded that burning permits are currently suspended across the territory with the exception of Old Crow and Beaver Creek where the fire danger rating is low. Permits are suspended in the Yukon when the fire danger rating is moderate or higher. -30- For Yukon Wildfire updates, call 1-800-826-4750 Current Fire Danger Ratings |