Statement from Minister Mostyn on fire and flood season

 Minister of Community Services Richard Mostyn issued the following statement:

“As fire and flood season winds down for another year, I’m pleased to update Yukoners on the important work of our emergency responders and staff whose dedication, preparations and quick actions continue to keep our communities safe.

“Our priority is always to protect our land and ensure the safety and wellbeing of Yukoners.

"Yukon crews were kept busy throughout the summer as fires burned roughly 200,000 hectares in the Yukon’s 10 fire districts. This included the over 150 wildfires in the Yukon which occurred this summer, mostly caused by lightning.

“They protected communities, roads, and other infrastructure from the worst impacts of wildfire. There were evacuation alerts for Stewart Crossing and Mayo, and traffic disruptions on the North Klondike Highway. A remote lodge in the Beaver Creek region was also evacuated in August; fortunately, no one was hurt.

“Yukon crews and officers went above and beyond to offer expertise and help to our neighbours in B.C., Alberta, Saskatchewan, Oregon, Washington, the NWT and Canadian national parks.

“Our Emergency Measures Organization was also busy this spring. From assisting with flooding events in the Klondike and Old Crow, to the wildfire activity around Stewart Crossing and Mayo and notably assisting with a large-scale telecommunications outage. In total, the Emergency Coordination Centre was activated for 46 days between May and August.

“As we continue to feel the impacts of climate here in the North, we must be prepared for longer, more intense wildfire and flood seasons.

“Last winter, in anticipation of potential spring flooding, we took steps to position essential materials in communities and highway camps across the territory.

“In the Klondike, ice jam buildup posed a significant flooding risk this year. Beginning in February, EMO emergency management planners collaborated with the City of Dawson and the Trʼondëk Hwëchʼin to ensure the community was prepared.

“Similarly, Old Crow faced the possibility of experiencing 200-year flood levels due to a high snowpack. Our government and the Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation worked hand in hand through the Emergency Coordination Centre, ensuring an effective response during the spring breakup on the Porcupine River.

“Thankfully, flooding was less severe than forecasted, but our preparation has laid a strong foundation for future incidents.

“We continue proactive measures to limit the impact of wildfires through fuel management work such as forest thinning, conversion of coniferous stands to deciduous stands, and prescribed burning.

“We are also promoting wildland fire prevention through education campaigns to reduce human-caused fire ignition and help property owners protect their homes from wildfire risk.

“Wildland Fire Management’s FireSmart funding program is a well-established program that provides financial and technical support to municipalities, First Nations, non-profit organizations and community associations for implementing local community wildfire-hazard-reduction projects.

“Recognizing the importance of ongoing dialogue with leaders to build a culture of preparedness in the Yukon, we hosted weekly emergency briefings this summer with Chiefs, Mayors and officials from municipalities and First Nations, giving them the opportunity to hear directly from Yukon government emergency response branches.

“This fall, we are continuing to work with other governments, utilities and response partners to increase our resilience and preparedness. 

“We are grateful for our partners in Yukon emergency response, including First Nation and municipal governments, volunteer fire departments, the Special Heavy Operations Team, municipal fire departments, RCMP, Yukon First Nations Wildfire and many others within our borders and beyond.

“Yukoners are also partners in this work as emergency preparedness is a shared responsibility. Everyone can help by reviewing their family’s emergency preparedness plan for all seasons.

“Thank you again to everyone for their hard work in keeping Yukoners safe and building strong, resilient communities.”