Wildfire creates smoky conditions on Yukon River north of Whitehorse

A wildfire approximately 10 kilometres north of Lake Laberge has created smoky conditions north of Whitehorse, Yukon. 

The fire is burning on both sides of the Yukon River in the Thirty Mile section, a wilderness area popular for recreation. 

Julia Duchesne, a fire information officer with the Yukon Government, says high winds in the Southern Lakes area may lead to increased fire activity on Sunday. 

While smoke may blow into Whitehorse and across the Klondike Highway, the burning areas are still far from properties and infrastructure, she said.

"People on the river might see active fire and fire taking short runs, where wind and fuel align," said Duchesne. "They may also see trees torching, so individual trees sort of exploding in flame." 

Duchesne said these conditions should not pose a hazard for paddlers and other river users — so long as they do not disembark or camp in the area.

"Even if it looks cool or like the fire has passed on through, there can still be danger like heat pockets or falling trees," she said. 

A territory-wide level 2 fire restriction, first introduced on Aug. 7, remains in place following record-high temperatures. This means cooking and warming fires are only allowed in fire pits and stoves at road-accessible territorial and commercial campgrounds, and personal fires are restricted. 

On Aug. 9, Wildland Fire Management and fire departments across the Yukon reported four human-caused fires across the territory since the fire ban was implemented. Those fires have all been extinguished. 

"Since Friday, Yukoners have done a great job maintaining that level 2 fire restriction," said Duchesne. "We are expecting a bit more rain, cloud and humidity to come in over the next few days, but it's still very dry and windy."

Yukon residents can call 1-888-798-3473 (FIRE) to report illegal fires.