Department of Community Services
2009 - Yukon Wildfire Bulletins
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Current Fire Danger Ratings Wildfire Bulletin #39 July 30, 2009 - 11:45 PM Twenty-One New Fires the Majority in Watson Lake A rash of dry lightning Thursday in the Watson Lake district resulted in 18 new fires in the southern portion of the Yukon. The activity was in addition to three new fires elsewhere in the Yukon Thursday. Hot and dry conditions combined with minimal precipitation and dry lightning activity early in the evening is what triggered the rash of new starts. “The fire conditions in Watson Lake are extremely volatile right now,” said Duty Officer Mike Sparks. “Several of these fires had increased to more than 100 hectares in size less than an hour after starting.” A number of the fires burning in Watson Lake are in close proximity to the Robert Campbell Highway. As a result, fire officials made the decision to close a portion of the highway, north of the Watson Lake airport to Ross River, close to midnight Thursday. Fire officials are working with the R.C.M.P. and highways staff to reopen the highway as soon as possible however, safety remains the priority. In addition to the Watson Lake activity there were three other fires discovered Thursday in the territory. The fire detected by MODIS satellite Wednesday burning 106 kilometres south of Old Crow was confirmed Thursday by patrol aircraft. The fire is an estimated 696 hectares and is burning in the Wilderness Zone with no values at risk. In the Teslin district, one fire was confirmed on the south side of Teslin Lake and is believed to be lightning caused. In the Whitehorse district, a fire, believed to be human caused, was reported Thursday afternoon near Chadburn Lake. The fire was quickly extinguished by Initial Attack firefighters and will be further investigated. This fire is especially disconcerting to fire officials because an open fire ban remains in effect for the entire territory. The ban applies to all open burning including campfires. Wildland Fire Management and Parks officials will be enforcing the ban in campgrounds and other areas. Individuals not adhering to this ban may be subject to prosecution under the Forest protection Act and, if a wildfire results, may also be liable for suppression costs. Meanwhile, extreme fire conditions across the territory have led to growth on existing fires in the Dawson, Carmacks and Whitehorse fire districts. Hot and dry conditions in the Dawson area increased fire behavior in the district and conditions were very smoky. This can be expected to continue Friday. Values potentially at threat from the fires remain protected and are being monitored closely by Wildland Fire Management. The situation is the same in Carmacks where a number of fires continue to burn aggressively, the most notable being the Little Salmon Lake fire 65 kilometres east of Carmacks that is now more than 16,000 hectares. Fifty firefighters, 6 helicopters and various pieces of equipment are on site. Daily suppression goals are being met and all identified values remain protected. Motorists traveling along the Robert Campbell Highway may encounter smoky conditions, delays and possible closures pending the fire’s behavior. In the Whitehorse district, a large column of smoke was again visible Thursday evening due to increased fire behavior on the Teslin River fire located 60 kilometres northeast of Whitehorse. The fire continues to burn aggressively with columns of smoke on the east and west side of the river. Paddlers are advised to avoid the area. On Friday an additional 30 firefighters are arriving in the territory to provide further assistance and bring the number of wildland firefighters working in the Yukon to more than 135. On Friday, increased patrols will be taking place in the territory and it is expected a number of new fires will be discovered. With conditions forecast to continue to be hot and dry across the territory and the fire danger rating at the extreme level in almost every fire district fire officials are urging the public to abide by the current open fire ban and limit their burning to barbeque and closed lid stoves and even then to do so with extreme caution. With the recent activity, there have now been 89 fires this season in the Yukon burning more than 110,000 hectares of forest.
-30- For Yukon Wildfire updates, call 1-800-826-4750 Current Fire Danger Ratings |