Heavy smoke proves helpful to Yukon firefighters

Smoke billowing from agrowing wildfire in central Yukon has provenhelpful to firefighters battling the blaze by offering shade.

"When there is a lot of smoke, it can create a phenomenon known as 'smoke shading,' and it's kind of like a cloud covering over an area that can actually cool that area off and limit the effective fire damage," said Yukon fire information officer Mike Fancie.

Dozens of firefighters were still working on the North Crooked Creek fire near Stewart Crossing on Friday, which was estimated to be248 square kilometresin size.

Three helicopters were also involved in the effort onThursday, and heavy equipment was being used to build a barrier between the fire and the North Klondike highway.

Smokehas been drifting through many nearby communities this week, including Mayo and Dawson City.

More gusting winds expected

"It's important to underscore that there is still a very real fire danger," said Fancie on Friday morning. He said the forecast was calling for unseasonably warm weather again, andgusting winds by the afternoon.

"We're definitely preparing ourselves."

An evacuation alert is still in effect for residents orcabin owners in the nearby Ethel Lake area. No cabins or buildings have been lost to the fire, Fancie said.

Elsewhere in the territory, another fire near the Snag campground forced the closure of the Alaska Highway between Snag Junction and Beaver Creek for several hours on Thursday, before re-opening late in the evening.

Fancie said motorists can againtravel through the area, but should use caution and monitor 511Yukon for any updates on road closures.

"It is quite late in the season. That being said, it is still fire season."