Yukon crews keeping wildfires near Dawson at bay as close to 200 homes stay on alert

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This article was published 23/06/2025 (281 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Crews battling wildfires burning near Dawson, Yukon, say there’s been minimal growth of the wildfire close to homes in the area, although almost 200 properties remain on alert for possible evacuation.

The territory’s latest wildfire update says the Quebec Creek fire is now about 32 square kilometres in size and has had minimal growth toward upper West Dawson where residents in 100 homes are on alert.

The Mount Loretta wildfire, which forced the closure of the North Klondike Highway, has been kept from crossing the route, but it’s now 59.3 square kilometres in size, more than three times what it was on Sunday.

Dawson remains on backup diesel power after the Mount Leotta fire cut off the power lines to the city, but the airport is operational despite limited visibility.

About 80 homes are on evacuation alert due to the Mount Leotta wildfire.

The Yukon government also says that the Dempster Highway was forced to close for about a day from kilometre 0 to kilometre 65 due to another wildfire of note about 30 kilometres northeast of Dawson, but the highway has since reopened.

A travel advisory remains in place for the highway and crews warn that it may close again due to wildfire activity, and motorists planning to use the road should plan to travel during the coolest part of day in the early morning or late night.

“Highway status can change fast due to wildfire activity,” the update says. “During this period of high wildfire activity, we aim to get vehicles through when it is safe.”

There are about 60 active wildfires burning in the territory, with about 105.3 square kilometres of land burned.

There are currently eight wildfires of note in Yukon, defined as blazes that “generate increased public interest” due to their potential impact on communities or infrastructure such as homes or highways.

The territory says it is receiving more help from other jurisdictions, with a heavy structure protection unit coming in from Alberta that is expected to arrive later Monday to assist with the Quebec Creek fire.

Yukon firefighters said eight initial-attack crews and a large airtanker had arrived from the BC Wildfire Service on Sunday, while most of the territory’s own personnel who left to help other jurisdictions have returned.

Emergency responders are also reminding residents to keep drones at least five nautical miles — or 9.3 kilometres — from active wildfires, since firefighting aircraft may be operating and the airspace is protected.

People can face fines up to $15,000 for violating the airspace above or near an active wildfire.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 23, 2025.