By mfancie
October 14, 2026
Despite lower temperatures and shorter days in the fall, windy conditions and dry fuels can create wildfire risk. This week, Wildland Fire Management responded to a 0.1-hectare wildfire caused by an abandoned campfire on an island in Marsh Lake. We thank the members of the public who reported the fire.
Legal fire season ended on September 30, and seasonal wildfire crews have completed their terms. However, Wildland Fire Management can still respond to small-scale incidents like this one.
Permission to burn outside of Whitehorse, Dawson or Watson Lake city limits is not needed until April 1. However, you are accountable year-round for the fires you build. If you build a fire or burn brush during dry and windy conditions, be responsible:
- Only make a fire that is big enough for your needs. Take into account local winds and the condition of the forest around you.
- If you are burning brush, keep your piles small enough that you can manage them.
- Have the tools, and if possible a water source, available to put out your fire at a moment’s notice.
- Never leave a fire unattended. Before you leave or go to sleep, soak your campfire, stir and repeat until the ashes are cold to the touch.