Wildfire in Yukon, northwestern Canada quickly spreading
A wildfire burning out of control near Haines Junction, Yukon (northwestern Canada) grew to 494 hectares overnight, putting two properties south of the fire on evacuation alert.
In a Facebook post Tuesday, Yukon Protective Services stressed that the village of Haines Junction is not currently under evacuation alert.
“We have confirmed plans with affected community members to visit their properties today [to] plan structure defense,” the post stated.
On Monday, officials estimated the size of the fire at 137 hectares. South winds saw the fire spread northward, away from Haines Junction.
Fire information officer Mike Fancie said Yukon Wildland Fire Management will be ramping up efforts to fight the fire this week. As of Monday, there were 20 firefighters accompanied by bulldozers battling the fire on the ground, plus four helicopters dropping water.
Crews were working Tuesday to clear a fire line that would give crews easier access to combat the blaze.
Yukon Protective Services said Tuesday it will host a town hall Wednesday night in Haines Junction to update the community on firefighting efforts.
Related stories from around the North:
Canada: Smoke from northern Alberta wildfire reaches northwestern Canada, CBC News
Finland: Brush fire warnings in most of Finland this week, Yle News
Russia: Forest fires rage across Barents region (July 2018), The Independent Barents Observer
Sweden: Is Sweden better prepared after last year’s historic wildfire season?, Radio Sweden
