Wildfire crews hold the line as lightning batters the Yukon

Wildland Fire Management has spent the weekend responding to new lightning-caused wildfires while protecting communities on firelines across the territory. Sustained lightning and dry forests have led to 86 new fires since storms began to develop on June 19.  

On the 19th, there were 12 active fires, of which only 1 required a full response. As of this morning, there are 78 active fires and 14 full responses. All but 2 of these full-response fires are burning in the Dawson and Mayo fire districts.

Wildfire crews have also stopped numerous potentially dangerous wildfires in the forests around Dawson, Mayo, Carmacks, Miner’s Ridge and Watson Lake. These successes have been made possible thanks to hard work from Yukon crews as well as others mobilized from British Columbia. These extra crews represent a nearly 50% increase in Yukon’s initial-attack capacity.

The Yukon government's Emergency Coordination Centre has mobilized resources to support residents in the Stewart Crossing and Mayo areas who are under evacuation alerts. They have also helped coordinate pilot car services to reduce travel disruptions on the North Klondike Highway between Pelly Crossing and Stewart Crossing due to the Wrong Lake fire (MA-06). They are also working closely with Energy, Mines and Resources, Victoria Gold, and other key stakeholders to address the Eagle Gold mine heap leach failure and fire situation. 

Officials expect an end to widespread lightning this week, which will lead to fewer new wildfires. However, as the weather changes the forecast calls for increased wind in central and northern Yukon, which could aggravate burning conditions near the most severe wildfires.

Wildland Fire Management would like to thank people for being patient with responders and for supporting the fire restrictions put in place to protect its ability to focus on lightning-caused fires. Its responders are using all available resources to limit wildfire disruptions to people’s lives.

Find wildfire updates online on the Wildfire Hub: https://wildfires.service.yukon.ca

Get emergency updates: www.yukon.ca/emergencies

Get road updates: www.511Yukon.ca

For more information

Wildfire updates:

Mike Fancie, Wildland Fire Management fire information officer
867-393-7415 or yukonfireinfo@yukon.ca

Other emergency updates:

Carla Bohman, Emergency Coordination Centre public information officer
867-334-4802 or ecc.information@yukon.ca