Rain dampens Yukon forest fires

Widespread rain in Yukon has dampened forest fire dangers to low or moderate from extreme in some regions of the territory, including the Whitehorse area.

The fire riskremains extreme in the Mayo area, and high aroundDawson City, Carmacks and Ross River.

The rain also helped reduce fire activity on many of the forest fires currently burning, including the ones threatening the Casino mining camp and the Scroggie Creek mining camp, according to Yukon Wildland Fire Management.

Close to 15 millimetres of rain fell onthefire burning 30 kilometres east of Lake Laberge,south of the confluence of theTeslinRiver and Open Creek.

YukonWildlandFire Management reports afire began after a tree came down on a power line Tuesday night about1.5 kilometres north of Emerald Lake off the South Klondike Highway. Yukon Wildland Fire Management and volunteer firefighters from Carcross and Mount Lornecontained it at0.3 hectares and firefighting work will continue today.

"Both Wildland firefighters and volunteer firefighters were able to contain it and put it into mop-up stage and no further issues are expected with that one, but obviously given its proximity to the highway, to populated areas, it was a priority," said fire information officerGeorge Maratos.

Officialssay more rain isexpected today, but there is also lightning in the forecast for central Yukon and new fires are expected.

To report a wildfire in Yukon, call 1-888-798-FIRE (3473).