2025 Wildfire Updates

Monday, June 23, 2025, 2:00 pm

This is an update on Dawson-area wildfires from the local Emergency Control Group for Dawson City. This group includes the City of Dawson, Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in, and Government of Yukon emergency response agencies.

Wildfire Activity and Response

· Evacuation Alerts remain in place for the following areas near Dawson:

o West Dawson and Sunnydale, including all properties along the Top of the World Highway between kilometres 1 and 36

o Dempster Highway Cutoff and Henderson Corner, including all properties along the North Klondike Highway between kilometres 693 and 672

o An Evacuation Alert means there is a threat nearby and you should be ready to leave on short notice. It is not an Evacuation Order. Pack essentials, fuel your vehicle, and make a plan with your household.

· Quebec Creek fire (DA-012): Yesterday aircraft was able to trace the perimeter of the Quebec Creek fire (DA-012), and the confirmed size is 3229 hectares. Most fire activity yesterday was on the east side of the fire towards the Yukon River. The fire had minimal growth towards Upper West Dawson and remains around 10 kilometres away. The fire has not crossed the highway.

· Heavy equipment has completed dozer guard above the Deadwood drainage and work in Sunnydale continues today. Structure protection, such as sprinklers, portable water sources and pumps, is in place for several properties and work continues today. A heavy structure protection unit from Alberta is expected to arrive Monday night to assist with this work. This equipment is not being given out to the public, but installed by Wildland Fire personnel if necessary.

· Mount Leotta fire (DA-016): A flight was able to confirm the perimeter of the Mount Leotta fire (DA-016) yesterday and the fire is a confirmed 5931 hectares. Yesterday, most of the fire’s activity was on the east flank, towards Henderson Creek. Crews have been successful in keeping the fire south of the highway.

· Several values closest to the fire’s growth have been protected with tactical burning and structure protection, such as sprinklers. Current objectives on the fire include maintaining power lines, preventing growth to the north side of the highway and assessing nearby values for structural protection.

· More structural protection will be put in place today. Plans for heavy equipment and dozer guard are currently being assessed. · For more information on wildfires, visit: https://wildfires.service.yukon.ca/

Highway Information

· Highway status can change fast due to wildfire activity. During this period of high wildfire activity, we aim to get vehicles through when it is safe. The latest status can always be found at: https://511yukon.ca/

· Wildfires are most active in the afternoons and early evenings. Highways are most likely to be open, or have pilot vehicles running, late at night and early in the morning when wildfire activity is low.

· If 511 says “Piloted Vehicle Shuttles happening while conditions allow”, pilot vehicles are running. If 511 says “Piloted Vehicles suspended”, pilot vehicles are suspended. If 511 says “closed” with no pilot vehicles mentioned, the highway is closed.

· HWY-5/Dempster Highway is open with a Travel Advisory.

· HWY-9/Top of the World Highway is open with a Travel Advisory.

· HWY-2/North Klondike Highway has piloted vehicle shuttles running between Henderson Corner and Tintina Trench Lookout, (km 697-km 655), a section that includes the Dempster Cutoff. Drivers should wait at the closure and then follow the pilot vehicle through.

Smoke and Clean Air

· Dawson is smoky right now. Wildfire smoke can affect your health.

· The best thing that you can do is reduce your exposure. Seek cleaner air indoors. If that is not possible, well-fitted respirators offer some protection. Respirators are marked with letter and number combinations, such as N95, KN95 and KF94.

· TH Hall is open 9 am – 7 pm this week as a clean air shelter and hub for community members looking for information, masks, or clean air.

· If you have health concerns about smoke, call 8-1-1 to speak to a Registered Nurse, or contact your healthcare provider.

· If you have any of these symptoms, seek medical attention at the Dawson Hospital: shortness of breath, severe cough, dizziness, chest pain, or palpitations. · Learn about smoke impacts here: Find out about wildfire smoke | Yukon.ca

George Black Ferry & RV Travel

· RVs are being asked to remain on the Dawson side of the river when the Top of the World highway is closed. This helps reduce pressure on the George Black Ferry and West Dawson.

· We recommend making use of the multiple campgrounds in and around Dawson City during this time.