Department of Community Services
2009 - Yukon Wildfire Bulletins
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Current Fire Danger Ratings Wildfire Bulletin # 42 August 04, 2009 - 11:00 PM Evacuation Alert Issued As Precautionary Measure Fire officials have issued an evacuation alert for some citizens impacted by the Little Salmon Lake Fire. This lightning-caused fire is burning in the Carmacks district 65 kilometres northeast of the community and is approximately 18,500 hectares. Currently, four helicopters and close to 50 personnel are working the fire however aggressive fire behaviour combined with volatile conditions has made suppression efforts challenging. The priority remains the protection of the public while maintaining the safety of the firefighters. The evacuation alert is a precautionary measure taken by fire officials to better prepare citizens should an evacuation order be necessary. The evacuation alert applies to persons residing in or visiting structures along Little Salmon Lake and the Magundy River drainage corridor adjacent to the Robert Campbell Highway. "I want to stress that this is not an evacuation order and these properties are currently not at immediate threat," said Carmacks Duty Officer Gerry Trudeau. "This is a measure to better prepare both our staff and citizens living in the impacted area should the fire become more threatening and an evacuation order be required." In conjunction with the evacuation alert staff have established information stations at either end of the affected area where citizens can check in and provide further information, These are located at the Magundy Airstrip (km 446 on the Robert Campbell Highway) and at the Little Salmon Lake Fire Incident Command Centre (km 528 on the Robert Campbell Highway. Signs have been erected at these stations as well where further instructions are posted. In the event that fire officials do issue an evacuation order, the information gathered at these stations will enable staff to better assist residents in getting to a safe marshalling area. The public’s co-operation in this effort is appreciated, as safety remains a top main priority for Widland Fire Management. Again this is just an evacuation alert at this time in preparation should an evacuation order be necessary. Further information on the evacuation alert can be obtained by calling the Carmacks Wildland Fire Management Zone Office, at (867)-863-5271. Meanwhile, work is ongoing on a number of fires burning throughout the territory, specifically in the Teslin, Watson, Carmacks, Dawson and Whitehorse districts. Protection of communities and other values while maintaining the safety of firefighters remains the top priority and this continues to be achieved. A third airtanker group arrived in the territory from Alberta on the weekend and it joins other Outside resources from Alberta and the Northwest Territories already at work. There are now over 140 total firefighters in the territory, and additional support may arrive later this week. Smoky conditions remain in much of the territory today and although dissipating somewhat these conditions can be expected to continue depending on fire activity. Motorists should also prepare for delays and possible closures on the Robert Campbell Highway depending on the fire behaviour, At this time the Highway remains open and further information can be obtained by calling 511 or visiting yukon511.ca. With conditions forecast to be hot and dry across the territory, 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. The public is also asked to avoid backcountry travel if possible. This season there have been 107 fires in the Yukon burning approximately 153, 580 hectares of forest. -30- For Yukon Wildfire updates, call 1-800-826-4750 Current Fire Danger Ratings |