Fire near Haines Junction, Yukon, grows to nearly 500 hectares

A wildfire burning out of control near Haines Junction 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 at137 hectares. South winds saw the fire spread northward, away from Haines Junction.

Fire information officer Mike Fanciesaid 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 atown hall Wednesday night in Haines Junction to update the community on firefighting efforts.