A lightning storm ignited an estimated 15 fires across northern Yukon yesterday.
More than 40 British Columbia firefighters have been sent up to help with the territory’s growing fire outbreak.
The highest priority fire is near Dominion Creek, 37 kilometres southeast of Dawson City.
“With the extreme conditions and the fire’s proximity to Dawson City we immediately actioned this fire with air tankers, helicopters and firefighters,” said duty officer Lorne Harris with Wildland Fire Management. “It remains active, but fortunately there has been some rain on the fire, which has slowed the fire behaviour but has made conditions smokey in Dawson City and the nearby areas.”
Firefighters, air tankers and helicopters were also deployed on a fire discovered near Lake Laberge Wednesday evening.
The Laberge fire was one of three discovered Wednesday.
Firefighters also took action on a small lightning fire in the Haines Junction district near the Dezadeash River.
Lightning also hit near the White River in the Dawson district, caused a two-hectare fire.
Large fires near Mayo and Dawson reported last week and earlier this week continue to burn, and are expected to grow in dry and windy conditions.
A large Alaska fire 30 kilometres from Beaver Creek continues to blow smoke into the community.
The B.C. firefighters will be deployed as necessary to Yukon fires.