Last night Whitehorse and Yukon Wildland firefighters quickly responded to two separate fires around Riverdale, near Chadburn Lake Road.
The fires are thought to be caused by people, said George Maratos, spokesperson for the Yukon Wildland Fire Management, since there was no lightning forecasted in the area.
He reminded the public that despite the rainy conditions earlier this week, fire danger ratings are still very high in Whitehorse due to windy conditions, and burning within city limits is still banned.
Campfires are only allowed outside of Whitehorse and Dawson city limits, except at the Wolf Creek campground.
Forty-seven Wildland firefighters assisted by six helicopters are still working to extinguish a 191-hectare fire 11 kilometres north of Dawson City.
“They’re trying to extinguish it while Mother Nature is on their side,” said Maratos.
Contact Pierre Chauvin at
pierre.chauvin@yukon-news.com