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2007 Bulletin Archive

Wildfire Bulletin #15

June 19, 2007 - 10:50 AM

Lightning Ignites Six New Fires

Increased lightning activity combined with dry conditions have resulted in six new fires in the territory over the past 24 hours. The Carmacks fire district saw the most activity with three new fires, while Beaver Creek reported two and the Dawson district one.
 
Of the six new fires, Beaver Creek #1 is currently the most significant as it is burning approximately 13 kilometres northeast of the community. The fire, now estimated to be 75 hectares in size, was first reported at 4:45 p.m. and was quickly actioned by both air tanker groups. Initial Attack fire crews from Haines Junction and Dawson were also deployed to the area and they will continue to action the area today with support from the air.

“Due to the location of this fire it is a main priority at this time,” said Head of Fire Mike Sparks. “We are working this fire from both the ground and air in an effort to contain it as quick as possible.”

The other fire (Beaver Creek #2), reported in Beaver Creek yesterday is burning in a wilderness zone and at this time is a low priority, but is still being monitored.

The Carmacks area was also busy with fire activity Monday, with three new lightning-caused fires. The first incident (Carmacks #2), reported at 4:15 p.m., is two hectares in size and is burning east of Carmacks near Cassiar Bar. Approximately 2.5 hours later a second fire (Carmacks #3), 0.1 hectares in size was located south of Carmacks near Twin Lakes. Just after 10:00 p.m. the third fire (Carmacks #4) of the day in Carmacks was located south of the community near Montague House. This fire was also lightning caused and is approximately 1.7 hectares in size.

All three of the fires in the Carmacks area were actioned and fire officials will be further assessing them today.

The sixth fire (Dawson #5) reported in the territory yesterday was in the Dawson fire district in a remote area southwest of Dawson, near the Upper Ladue River.

“Over the past 48 hours we have seen a major increase in lightning activity,” said Sparks. “We will be patrolling parts of the territory and are now preparing for possibly more activity.”

With this most recent fire there have now been 24 fires in the territory this season, burning more than 4600 hectares of forest.

With the fire danger rating currently high to extreme in most of the territory and increased lightning expected the public is asked to do their part and be cautious with any kind of burning and report any wildfires they notice to 1-888-798-FIRE.

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For Yukon Wildfire updates, call 1-800-826-4750
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Current Fire Danger Ratings
Burning Restrictions
2007 Bulletin Archive