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Evacuation alerts lifted for areas around Dawson City, Yukon

The alerts were first issued on June 20 for West Dawson, Sunnydale and Top of the World Highway kilometres 1 to 36 due to threatening wildfires.

The alerts were first issued on June 20 as wildfires threatened the area

a man standing looking off into a valley
A wildland firefighter looking toward the Quebec Creek fire burning approximately 10 kilometres away from West Dawson. (Chris MacIntyre/CBC)

Evacuation alerts have been lifted for areas around Dawson City, Yukon.

The alerts, which were were first issued on June 20 due to threatening wildfires, included West Dawson, Sunnydale, Top of the World Highway kilometres 1 to 36, North Klondike Highway between kilometres 672 and 693, and from the Dempster Highway Cutoff to Henderson Corner. 

A news release issued on Sunday evening announced the end of the evacuation alerts for each area. 

On Monday, the territory also rescinded the evacuation alert for kilometres four to 24 of the Silver Trail and east to the Stewart River.

Sunday's news release didn't say why the alerts had been rescinded, but an update from around noon on Sunday said "due to recent weather, fires are showing minimal activity." On Monday morning, the fire danger was listed at low to medium for most of the territory.

The alert — which is not an order for residents to leave their properties — requires residents to be prepared to leave quickly on short notice if necessary. 

The noon update said there are a total of 28 active wildfires in the Dawson region.

The noon update on Sunday said that keeping the highways open is a priority, "however, due to fire activity, closures may occur on short notice."

According to the 511 map as of Monday morning Top of the World Highway is open with a travel advisory.