September 30 marks the legal end to fire season each year. Between October 1, 2026 and March 31, 2027, you do not need Yukon government permission to burn forest materials like piled brush. If you live within Whitehorse, Dawson or Watson Lake’s municipal boundaries, you need to follow any local rules.
As fall turns to winter, contractors will be working on FireSmart projects across the Yukon. FireSmart projects are more active in the fall since there is less wildfire risk. Once the winter snowpack develops, contractors have a harder time accessing job sites, working efficiently, and cutting trees close to the ground.
Many of them will stack firewood for public salvage. They will also burn piles of forest materials like tree boughs that will create small short-term smoke columns. You can see where FireSmart work is taking place, and where free firewood is available, on the Wildfire Hub.