Yukon's busy wildfire crews get help from B.C.
Seven new forest fires reported on Monday; nine on weekend
CBC News
Posted: May 31, 2011 5:32 PM CT
Last Updated: May 31, 2011 6:13 PM CT
An air tanker drops retardant on a forest fire near Watson Lake, Yukon, on Monday evening. Officials say the fire, located just six kilometres from the town, has been contained and should be extinguished by Wednesday. (Yukon Wildland Fire Management)
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Yukon's forest fire season is in full swing this week, with many new fires keeping firefighters busy and prompting officials to bring in crews from British Columbia.
Lightning and hot, dry weather sparked seven new forest fires across Yukon on Monday, in addition to most of the nine fires that were reported over the weekend.
With more lightning and above-average temperatures forecast for Tuesday, Yukon government officials say they anticipate another hectic day.
"There's a lot of activity there, and with that we are fortunate that we're going to bring in some additional resources from British Columbia," wildland fire information officer George Maratos told CBC News.
Maratos said 24 firefighters from B.C. are being briefed in Whitehorse on Tuesday before they travel to areas that need assistance.
Crews tackle fire near Watson Lake
The fires that started on Monday included one that is burning near the Mount Maichen ski hill, about six kilometres north of Watson Lake, Yukon.
Maratos said while that fire was only 0.3 hectares in size, firefighters attacked it right away because it was so close to town.
Fire crews continued to battle the fire on Tuesday, as well as a 0.1-hectare wildfire near Lower Rancheria, about 44 kilometres west of Watson Lake.
Another forest fire that was reported Monday night was near Frenchman Lake in the Carmacks area.
"We don't actually typically see this much lightning this time of year, and we were expecting an above-average amount throughout the season, so that's obviously a little disconcerting," Maratos said.
"The message is pretty simple, that with lightning in the forecast, we need the public to be more vigilant when it comes to being responsible following any bans."
Maratos added that while there are no campfire bans in effect right now, Yukoners should start fires only if "absolutely necessary."
Meanwhile, fire officials are monitoring an aggressive forest fire that is burning 72 kilometres east of Carmacks on Tuesday.
Officials warn that the fire could jump the Yukon River, about 20 kilometres downstream of the confluence of the Yukon and Teslin rivers.
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