Photo: Reuters

More equipment and people are arriving in Dawson City, Yukon, to fight the many wildfires burning there this week.

By Thursday morning, there were 75 wildfires across Yukon, with 29 of them near Dawson City. Evacuation alerts are still in place for two areas. One alert is for the Dempster Highway cutoff and Henderson Corner, along the North Klondike Highway between kilometers 693 and 673. This area is threatened by the Mount Leotta fire. The other alert is for West Dawson and Sunnydale, and all homes along the Top of the World Highway between kilometers 1 and 36, threatened by the Quebec Creek fire.

On Tuesday, a team from Alberta arrived to help local firefighters. They have set up strong sprinkler systems on the west side of the river to protect homes. Large pumps, hoses, and portable water tanks are also being set up. More equipment and heavy machines are expected soon.

Officials will go door-to-door in these areas to check which homes are occupied. They will give people information about what will happen if an evacuation is needed. Right now, there is no need to leave, but they are preparing in case things get worse.

Cud Eastbound lives in a small log cabin in West Dawson, deep in the forest. Because his home has no proper road access, he has already moved many important things into town. He set up an 800-metre water line from the Top of the World Highway with a large water tank to protect his property. He fixed holes in the tank that bears had chewed so it worked properly for firefighters.

He is also part of the town council and feels grateful for all the help. He placed a cooler with ice, drinks, and food near the road for firefighters to take a break. Other neighbors have also added snacks to thank the crews.

He said, “It’s very impressive to see the equipment and help coming from all over Canada. We all feel taken care of.”

In total, there are 29 active wildfires in the Klondike. Nine of them are under control or being held. Rain has helped reduce the fire activity, so crews can work closer to the fires.

The Quebec Creek fire is about nine kilometers from Upper West Dawson and has burned about 37 square kilometers. There is a protection plan for Moosehide Village. The Mount Leotta fire has burned about 72 square kilometers and reached the south side of the Klondike Highway but has not crossed it. The Rabbit Creek fire is four kilometers from the highway and has burned about 121 square kilometers.

Fire crews have completed protection work in Benson Creek and Dempster Corner and will continue work on farms north of the Klondike River. Roads remain open in the Goldfields area despite nearby fires. The Yukon government advised miners to contact the Klondike Placer Miner's Association if they have questions.