Department of Community Services
2009 - Yukon Wildfire Bulletins
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Current Fire Danger Ratings Wildfire Bulletin #44 August 06, 2009 - 10:45 AM Abandoned Campfire One of Two New Fires in Carmacks Fire officials are stressing the public abide by the current open fire ban across the territory after an abandoned campfire resulted in a new fire in the Carmacks district Wednesday. The 0.1 hectare fire was discovered near Minto Landing half way between Pelly Crossing and Carmacks and was quickly responded to and extinguished by three initial attack firefighters. “We can not stress enough how critical it is the public follow the fire ban,” said Yukon Duty Officer Mike Sparks. “The fire conditions remain extreme in most of the territory and we need to utilize our resources on active fires and potential new lightning starts.” The second fire reported Wednesday in Carmacks is lightning caused and burning in a remote area 57 kilometres south of Carmacks. The 0.3 hectare fire is being monitored by fire officials as it is burning in the wilderness zone and is not threatening any values. Fire officials issued an evacuation alert Tuesday for some citizens in the vicinity of the Little Salmon Lake Fire. The fire burns 65 kilometres east of the community and has now been more accurately mapped at roughly 40,000 hectares in size. The evacuation alert is a precautionary measure to prepare residents in case an evacuation is necessary. It applies to persons residing in or visiting the area along Little Salmon Lake and the Magundy drainage corridor adjacent to the Robert Campbell Highway. Those residents who have yet to check in are asked to do so at either of the information stations on the highway or by calling the Carmacks Wildland Fire Management Zone Office, at (867)-863-5271. Minimal growth was reported towards the values on the Little Salmon Lake fire Wednesday however the fire was quite active on the fire’s south side. Suppression efforts will continue today with the priority remaining the protection of values and the safety of the firefighters. Meanwhile, a number of fires burning throughout the territory continue to be closely monitored by fire officials. In the Teslin district, five fires remain active and did grow in size Wednesday. The fires continue to burn in the wilderness zone but residents can expected the fires to be visible in the Teslin area today. Depending on wind activity, cold ash may fall in the community today. Firefighters and equipment are stationed at the Teslin fire district should the fire threaten any values. A radio station (105.5) has been set up in the Teslin area where residents can obtain the latest fire information. Public information sites are also set up throughout the community. In the Watson Lake district, 20 fires are currently burning with action being taken on one fire and the remainder under close observation by fire officials. Work continues on the McKinnon Lake fire burning adjacent to the Yukon – B.C. border approximately 15 kilometers southwest of McKinnon Lake and 16 kilometres south of km 1036 of the Alaska Highway. Suppression objectives are being met on the fire and demobilization is expected to begin later today. In the Whitehorse district, fire behavior has increased on the fire burning 60 kilometres northeast of Whitehorse near the Teslin River. Now 12,500 hectares, fire officials are closely observing the fire and sprinkler kits have been activated on identified values in the area. Paddlers are asked to avoid the area as the fire is burning on both sides of the river and conditions are very smoky. In the Dawson district a number of fires are burning throughout the area in the wilderness zone. These fires are remote and all values remain protected. Smoke can be expected in Dawson City and surrounding areas especially in the late afternoon and early evening when the fire is most active. Due to the current conditions in the territory fire officials are asking hunters to avoid areas where fire activity is occurring if possible or delay their trips until the fire situation eases. Fire conditions remain very volatile right now. A map showing the current fire locations is posted at the department of Environment office at 10 Burns Road in Whitehorse. An additional 20 firefighters and 3 other personnel from the Northwest Territories arrived on Tuesday to aid with the current extreme conditions and more support from Alberta is expected today. They will join other Outside resources from Alberta and the Northwest Territories already at work. There are now over 160 total firefighters in the territory. Protection of communities and other values while maintaining the safety of firefighters remains the top priority for Yukon Wildland Fire Management. A smoky haze remains in much of the territory, and although the smoke has dissipated in some areas these conditions can be expected to continue pending on fire activity. Motorists should also prepare for delays and possible closures on the Robert Campbell Highway and Nahanni Range Road due to existing fire activity. Further information can be obtained by calling 511 or visiting yukon511.ca. With conditions forecast to be unseasonably warm across the territory through the weekend, 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. This season there have been 112 fires in the Yukon burning an estimated 187,722 hectares of forest. -30- For Yukon Wildfire updates, call 1-800-826-4750 Current Fire Danger Ratings |