Two evacuation alerts were issued late on Friday afternoon due to fire danger around Dawson City and a third one was put out that evening affecting properties along the Silver Trail Highway, according to multiple bulletins from Yukon fire information officers on June 20.
A bulletin at 8:34 p.m. from fire information officers notes the North Ferry Hill fire has prompted the alert for the area east of the Silver Trail between kilometres 8 and 24.
The Mount Leotta fire has put part of a region south of Dawson City under evacuation alert. That includes areas around the Dempster Highway Cutoff and Henderson Corner and all properties along the North Klondike Highway from kilometres 672 to 693. The fire there has burned 160 hectares and is deemed out of control with a full response by fire crews in progress.
West Dawson, including all properties along the Top of the World Highway between kilometres 1 and 36, is under evacuation alert due to the Quebec Creek fire. That fire has scorched through 300 hectares, is out of control and is seeing a modified response.
Wildfire affecting the highway on the west side of the Yukon River has closed the Top of the World Highway northern route to Alaska, from kilometre 4 to 104, since the afternoon of June 19, according to 511 Yukon.
The ferry, campground and golf courses are still in operation, according to a Facebook post from Yukon Highways and Public Works published the afternoon of June 20.
Those living and staying in the areas under evacuation alert are not being asked to leave immediately but should be prepared in case the alert is upped to an order, as noted in the bulletin.
The bulletin advises people to consider touching base with family members about a plan and a safe meeting place, getting ready-to-go bags in easily accessible locations and gathering needed items like glasses, papers and medications. They should consider arranging a ride and accommodations and filling gas tanks on vehicles. They should also make arrangements for pets and livestock, per the bulletin.
A level 3 fire ban placing some restrictions on open burning went into place June 20 due to hot, dry conditions in the territory.
As of the time of writing, the territory has 32 active fires, according to the Yukon wildfire hub. The number of hectares burned has increased exponentially over the week to more than 1,680 hectares. Twelve fires have been put out so far this fire season.
Contact Dana Hatherly at dana.hatherly@yukon-news.com
