Two Small Wildfires Near Carmacks Extinguished in Past 10 Days

Two small wildfires near Carmacks, Yukon, were extinguished by firefighters within the past 10 days, according to the Yukon government. The incidents occurred as fire season begins to intensify in the territory. The first fire was reported on May 13 near Tatchun Lake, about 40 kilometres north of Carmacks.

The second fire was reported three days later at kilometre 298 on the North Klondike Highway. Both fires remained small and were extinguished, the government said.

Some residents and visitors said the fires led them to review safety measures around their properties. One resident stated he removed wood and brush near his house to reduce fire risk. A former British Columbia firefighter now living in Ross River said he maintains a roadside kit containing food and water.

He noted multiple evacuation routes from his community, including a ferry northward and roads connecting to Carmacks and Watson Lake. A British Columbia resident who travels to Yukon for work said she keeps a similar kit with food, water, and supplies.

She cited concerns that highway closures could limit food deliveries to the region.

Management reported 82 firefighters deployed across the territory as of Thursday. Communications Officer Mark Giles said 10 firefighters in three crews are stationed in the Carmacks region, which includes the villages of Carmacks and Pelly Crossing.

Giles stated that staffing levels are set according to patterns from previous years, with additional resources available from headquarters if needed. As of Thursday, the wildfire risk in the Carmacks area remained low due to recent precipitation offsetting earlier winds and lower humidity.

Giles noted that weather conditions can change quickly. The former firefighter advised monitoring forecasts for temperatures above 30 degrees, low humidity, high winds, and thunderstorms.