All open fires, including campfires, are banned in central Yukon effective immediately.
Communities along or south of the Alaska Highway are not effected.
The area of the fire ban extends as far south as Fox Lake along the Klondike Highway, to about 100 kilometres east of Ross River on the Robert Campbell Highway, west to the U.S. border on the Top of the World Highway and north to around the
Tombstone campground on the Dempster Highway.
Campfires are still permitted in designated fire pits at government campsites. Barbecues and small camp stoves may still be used.
Lightning saw 23 new fires reported across central Yukon Thursday. Fifteen to 25 more are expected Friday.
Sixty-one B.C. firefighters arrived in the Yukon Friday morning to help out, joining the 45 B.C. and 77 Yukon firefighters already in the territory.
More Outside resources will likely be called in over the weekend.
There are currently 64 active fires in the Yukon. The situation is being assessed and resources will be deployed to where communities and buildings are under the greatest threat.
Members of the public who see illegal burning, wildfires or suspicious smoke are asked to call 911, the local fire department or 1-888-798-FIRE (3473).
Contact Jacqueline Ronson at jronson@yukon-news.com