As the weather gets warmer, the Government of Yukon’s Wildland Fire Management Branch is prepared to respond to wildfire activity from its six bases across the Yukon.
Wildland Fire Management spent the spring preparing crews and resources to effectively manage wildfires. New firefighters recently completed their initial training and the Yukon’s contract airtankers arrived mid-May.
This summer, the Yukon has 26 crews ready to respond, including Government of Yukon crews and crews contracted with Yukon First Nations and Yukon First Nations Wildfire. All crews work together on fighting fires, operating out of six regional fire centres. A further 92 staff manage crews and aircraft and provide logistical support across the territory.
Two contracted airtanker groups, along with helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft on contract, will support the ground crews. If more response resources are needed, surge capacity is available through the Yukon First Nations Wildfire Unit crew program and through mutual-aid agreements with other Canadian provinces and territories as well as some northwestern U.S. states.
Living in the boreal forest means living with the potential of wildfire. The firefighters who keep Yukoners safe are prepared as the warmer weather and drier conditions increase the fire danger rating. I would like to remind Yukoners that we can do our part to prevent wildfires. Make sure your campfires are properly extinguished, and ensure you only conduct burning when conditions allow with permission to burn. Our government supports a robust, highly trained and professional wildfire service that protects people, their property and critical infrastructure.
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Wildland Fire Management’s bases are in Dawson, Mayo, Carmacks, Haines Junction, Whitehorse and Watson Lake.
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Wildfire aircraft and helicopters, including air-tanker groups, are contracted resources.
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Anyone spotting a fire should call the Fire Line at 1-888-798-3473 (FIRE) and be prepared to report when the fire was first noticed, the size of the fire (campfire, baseball diamond, football field), the colour of the smoke, the fire's location in relation to landmarks and any information about people or property in immediate danger.
Tim Kucharuk
Press secretary, Cabinet Communications
867-335-2419
[email protected]
Julia Duchesne
Communications, Community Services
867-332-4188
[email protected]