While there have not been significant wildfires in the Yukon this year, some Yukon wildland fire crews are in action, having been sent to assist with blazes in British Columbia and the Northwest Territories.
Two Yukon crews have been sent out, one to the vicinity of Fort Liard, N.W.T. and the other to Fort Nelson, B.C.
"The current wildfire activity and current hazard level in the Yukon has allowed for these early season deployments which will provide critical support to these northern areas and provide valuable experience for our crews," a territorial government notice about the deployed crews reads.
A nine-firefighter group from the Southern Lakes base in Whitehorse was sent to B.C. on May 16. The group, made up of three initial attack crews and three wildland fire vehicles, have been assisting with the Parker Lake fire that has been threatening the town of Fort Nelson for weeks now.
The Alaska Highway remains closed at Fort Nelson due to the Parker Lake fire but there have been recent reports that plans are in the works to allow people evacuated from Fort Nelson to return to their homes.
The second group, a 20-member Yukon First Nations Wildfire sustained action crew accompanied by a Yukon Wildland Fire Management agency representative, was sent to an area south of Fort Liard on May 21.
The announcement notes that deployments for Yukon firefighters out of the territory can last up to 19 days but that Yukon fire bases remain adequately staffed and that crews outside the territory can be recalled within 24 hours should the need arise.
Fire information officer Haley Ritchie said both crews were expected to be gone for the full 19-day deployment.
Yukon Wildland Fire's online information hub shows only one fire burning in the territory as of noon on May 23. A fire well east of Watson Lake near the Yukon/N.W.T. border is burning over 344.8 hectares and being monitored by authorities. It was initially reported on May 11.
— With files from the Canadian Press
Contact Jim Elliot at jim.elliot@yukon-news.com