Stock photo of wildfire risk sign indicating a high fire risk. Photo Courtesy of Wildland Fire Management/Government of Yukon.
Whitehorse, YT – More structural protection equipment is expected to arrive in Dawson City in the coming days as wildfire crews continue efforts to defend homes and infrastructure from out-of-control blazes.
As of Wednesday afternoon, 29 wildfires remain active in the area, with nine being held or under control. Firefighters are focused on high-risk areas near West Dawson, Sunnydale and the Klondike Valley where sprinklers and water lines are already in place.
A team from Alberta has completed a water supply line to Upper West Dawson and will test it in the coming days.
The Quebec Creek fire remains about 9 km from Upper West Dawson and 600 metres from the Yukon River, while the Mount Leotta fire has reached the Klondike Highway but hasn’t crossed. Structural protection is in place along the highway.
The Rabbit Creek fire, at over 12,000 hectares, is still 4 km from the highway. Protection is ongoing near Benson Creek and farms north of the Klondike River.
Evacuation alerts remain for West Dawson, Sunnydale and Henderson Corner. Power outages continue along the North Klondike and highway conditions are expected to change quickly.
