Wildland Fire Management is planning a prescribed burn to take place this afternoon (August 12, 2024) on the Whitehorse South Fuel Break.
Crews will try to do up to three planned prescribed burns this year behind Mary Lake, where prescribed burns have taken place over the last two years. The current plan is to carry out operations on blocks near the Trans Canada Trail. As with all prescribed burning, the plan protects the public with specific safety measures and weather conditions.
To prevent smoke from drifting towards nearby subdivisions and the Alaska Highway, the burn requires smoke to vent into the sky. As a result, the smoke from this burn will be visible from many parts of Whitehorse.
In a recent survey conducted for Wildland Fire by the Yukon Bureau of Statistics, 76% of Whitehorse residents agreed with the use of prescribed burning to reduce wildfire risk. Wildland Fire appreciates public support for prescribed burning and is communicating with you about the upcoming burn in the following ways:
- This notice
- Paid advertising on the radio and on Facebook
- Posted copies of notice in Alaska Highway subdivisions
- Notifications for local governments and community associations
- Public education about how prescribed burns are planned and implemented
During the prescribed burn, firefighters will be active in the area south of Mary Lake. Trails will be open but please follow firefighters' instructions. While Wildland Fire makes every effort to reduce smoke impacts from prescribed burning, if you have specific concerns about your relationship with wildfire smoke talk to your healthcare professional or call 811.
Contact
Fire Information Officer
867-393-7415 or yukonfireinfo@yukon.ca
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