Yukon ratchets up fire restrictions across most of the territory
Cooking, warming fires banned unless in provided fire pits
The Yukon kicked its fire restrictions up a notch across most of the territory starting Friday.
On Thursday night, Wildland Fire Management announced it would be bringing in level two fire restrictions — meaning fires for cooking or warmth can only now be used in fire pits and stoves provided at road-accessible campgrounds.
No other fires are permitted.
The rules cover the regions around Whitehorse, Teslin, Carcross, Carmacks, Ross River, Stewart Crossing, Mayo, Dawson City, Old Crow, Haines Junction and Beaver Creek.
Within Whitehorse and Dawson City, different rules apply, since the municipalities themselves decide the rules for fires. National parks are also exempt, since they are the purview of Parks Canada.
"Personal fire use is restricted because there is high fire danger caused by hot and dry weather," reads Thursday's update from Wildland Fire Management. "Fire crews are faced with fire response operations that preventable human-caused wildfires could compromise."
The fire ban will stay in place until further notice.