Since publishing this news release we have corrected the number of fire personnel sent to the NWT and the type of personnel.
The Government of Yukon has sent wildland fire personnel to support wildfire response operations in the Northwest Territories.
On August 24, a 20 person firefighting crew from the Yukon, one agency representative, one helibase manager and a heavy equipment supervisor left the Yukon for the Northwest Territories to help manage the challenging fire situation. The crew deployed includes members from both the Government of Yukon and Yukon First Nations Wildfire.
Two additional personnel trained to work with air tankers were deployed on Saturday, August 26, to provide assistance.
As a member of the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre, the Yukon responds when another province or territory requests help.
The wildfire season has been challenging across Canada, and we hold immense gratitude for the unwavering support provided by firefighters and other wildfire personnel during our time of need here in the Yukon. We are proud that we can continue to extend this support beyond our borders. As we collectively navigate this situation, our thoughts are with our Northern neighbours as we hope for swift improvements in the wildfire conditions across the Northwest Territories.
Minister of Community Services Richard Mostyn
In 2023, the Yukon has fulfilled over 125 position requests to help manage challenging situations outside the territory.
Personnel can be deployed for up to 19 days depending on the needs of the receiving agency. Personnel can be recalled within 24 hours if needed in the Yukon.
Regarding resources within the territory, last week firefighters from Nova Scotia, Saskatchewan, and Newfoundland and Labrador departed from the Yukon after providing critical help in managing the East McQuesten fire (MA-011) and the Talbot Creek fire (MA-033) over the past three weeks.
Renée Francoeur
Cabinet Communications
867-334-9194
renee.francoeur@yukon.ca
Haley Ritchie
Fire Information Officer
867-393-7415
YukonFireInfo@yukon.ca