The past two weeks brought rain to the territory, but that’s no reason to get complacent about the threat of wildfires.
“A little rain is a good thing, but it isn’t going to wash out the fire,” said George Maratos, spokesperson for Wildland Fire Management. And it doesn’t take long for the forest to dry up, he added.
The reminder comes as a human-caused fire was spotted on Monday night near Chadburn Lake. The fire was quickly extinguished by city of Whitehorse and Wildland Fire Management firefighters.
The fire is believed to have been caused by piles of grass clippings that were set on fire.
On Tuesday, wildland firefighters responded to two lightning-caused fires near Pelly Crossing. Two air tankers, helicopters and nine firefighters were sent to the closest one, 17 kilometres west of the community. The 7.5-hectare fire has been contained. The second fire is 32 kilometres west of the community and has been contained to half a hectare.
Two wildfires that started on Monday near the north bank of the M’Clintock River and at Twin Fields were quickly contained by wildland firefighters.
Two other fires started in the wilderness zone within the Dawson district, and one within the Beaver Creek fire district.
Fires in the wilderness zone are not put out, as they’re considered far enough away from any property or community.
There are currently 72 active fires within the territory, most of them in the wilderness zone.
There have been 107 fires since the beginning of the season, burning an estimated 31,130 hectares. To report wildfires call 1-888-798-FIRE (3473).