(Vancouver) Forest fires in the Yukon are growing in number and intensity in the face of numerous cases of lightning, especially, but also a prolonged heat wave.
Posted at 6:59
Territorial authorities say since the Canada Day weekend, about 20 fires have broken out each day, bringing the year’s total to 155 wildfires that have burned 450 square kilometers.
The proportion of claims caused by lightning, at 97%, is extremely high, averaging around 70% in a typical year.
Environment Canada issued a heat warning Tuesday evening for much of the Yukon. This means for this northern region high temperatures of 28 degrees Celsius in the capital, Whitehorse, and night temperatures of 13 degrees.
The fires and flooding have triggered evacuation alerts in several areas of the Yukon. Multiple highway closures are also impacting transportation and access to communities.
The Yukon Emergency Measures Organization issued a new evacuation alert for Silver Trail and surrounding areas on Tuesday. The Crystal Lake fire in central Yukon is of particular concern as it has spread to 2,500 hectares and triggered an evacuation alert on Sunday for Stewart Crossing, about 15 kilometers away.
The fire also forced the closure of part of the Klondike Highway, an important transportation link in the territory.
Meanwhile, flood warnings have been in effect since last week for areas around Teslin Lake and the Yukon River near Carmacks.
The Yukon has already appealed for additional support through mutual aid agreements with neighboring British Columbia.