Some Yukon youth soccer tournament games cancelled due to smoke

Wildfires in the northeastern part of B.C. blanketed Whitehorse in smoke this past weekend, forcing some games — part of a youth soccer tournament — to be cancelled. 

Andrew Elines, the executive director of the Yukon Soccer Association, said the decision wasn't made lightly as the tournament means a lot to families. 

"It's kind of the culmination of the soccer season locally here in Whitehorse." said Elines.

But he said the thick smoke Thursday night made him think he might have to make the tough call. 

"The risk management side of my brain kicked in," said Elines. 

Almost 500 kids were set to participate in the tournament. Friday's games were cancelled entirely. Most games went ahead on Saturday, although play time was reduced and the half-time break increased to give kids more of a rest. Sunday's games were also cancelled. 

Elines said this is the first time in his memory the tournament has had to be cancelled, but it's something he had thought about and prepared for ahead of time. 

"Whitehorse United FC does have a safety policy that includes air quality," said Elines. "I think for sport organizations, especially in Western Canada, it's definitely a growing trend."

He said he wasn't sure if the cancelled games would be rescheduled for later in the summer, considering many families will be away on vacation over the next few months.

Smoky days ahead

Much of the smoke drifting through Northern communities so far this year has come from an active wildfire season in southern provinces.

Wildfires continue to burn near the B.C. areas of Fort Nelson and Nelson Forks, where a number of fires are burning out of control. That includes the Summit Lake wildfire, which has led to an evacuation order along the Alaska Highway from Summit Lake to Muskwa River Boat Launch. 

Smoke in Whitehorse was starting to clear up Monday afternoon, but Environment and Climate Change Canada is predicting it will be back by Wednesday morning. 

Anabela Bonada, the managing director of climate science at the University of Waterloo's Intact Centre on Climate Adaptation, said Canada is already at the second-highest year in the past 30 years, in terms of land burned country-wide.

"And we're only in June," Bonada said.

The most land burned was in 2023. She said the outlook for July and August is for above-average wildfire conditions. The centre is expecting frequent hot, dry, windy days throughout the summer across many parts of western and northern Canada.