Sprinklers are on and sandals and shorts have become the wardrobe-norm for many who are filling up local parks to take in the sun often in the early evening hours.

It seems that summer, rather than spring, has sprung over the last couple of weeks with temperatures hovering at more than 20 C most days.

“We expect this trend to continue,” Environment Canada meteorologist Andre Besson said in an interview Thursday afternoon, pointing to the record temperatures each day since last Sunday, when 25 C was reached.

That was followed by highs of 24.3 on Monday, 23.4 Tuesday and Wednesday and 24.7 on Thursday.

With no major weather systems coming in, Besson said it’s expected conditions will remain the same for about five to 10 days.

“It’s a very stagnant situation,” he said, noting long-term forecasting for this El Nino year indicates further weeks into the summer will likely be warmer than average.

While many Yukoners may welcome the news of a warm, sunny summer, the dry temperatures have Yukon Wildland Fire Management officials and firefighters working hard and bringing in Outside firefighters to deal with the extreme conditions (see story below).

Though all burning permits in the territory have been cancelled, campfires outside Whitehorse and Kluane National Park are permitted.

Within the city, campfires are only permitted in approved fire pits inside established campgrounds or backyard fire pits which have been inspected and approved by the city fire department.

Kluane National Park issued a complete ban on all fires on Wednesday.

It’s difficult to predict whether there could be rain further into the summer, Besson said, noting the more long-term a forecast is, the harder it is to predict precipitation of any type.

While the territory’s firefighters are busy on the job, it would seem many Yukoners are finding time to be outside whether it means going for a bike ride or a walk, a beer on the deck or taking in the parks around town.

Linda Rapp, the city’s director of community and recreation services, said, the early start to the summer season has staff getting city parks ready for the summer season about three weeks earlier than usual.

While it’s meant a bit of scrambling, Rapp said it’s been good to see the Fireweed Community Market at Shipyards Park so busy Thursday evening.

Others have been taking in beach volleyball, playing frisbee and enjoying the splash park and playground down the road at Rotary Peace Park.

Early evenings seem to be the busiest time at the parks around the city.

“It’s great to see,” Rapp said.

A recreational transition period of sorts, Rapp said it appears many are opting to spend their evenings in the great outdoors rather than being inside.

Basketball players, she said as an example, might shoot hoops at an outside court rather than heading to a drop-in session at the Canada Games Centre.

At the recreation complex, staff are noticing the changes that come with the summer season.

Krista Mroz, manager of recreation and facility services, said this morning the use of the pool and wellness centre through the day has remained about the same. However, there’s been a 20 to 25 per cent decrease in attendance at CGC evening drop-in activities like basketball, soccer and volleyball, among others.

Fitness classes and public swims in the evening also seem to be down in attendance by about 10 to 15 per cent.

While many seem to be choosing outside activities over those offered inside – at least during the evenings – they also appear to be wanting the option of the CGC as membership sales in May (monthly, continual and annual) seem to be on-target with last year’s figures (though final numbers have yet to be confirmed) showing 2,090 memberships.

Last month saw an increase, with 2,635 memberships compared to 2,536 in April 2014.

As the summer moves along, the CGC will be busy with more organized activities through the day including summer day camps, hockey schools and the like.

Mroz noted the facility also sees its share of tourists over the summer season, many who prefer the pool instead of the colder Yukon lakes.

While residents take in the outdoor spaces around town and at their homes in the warmer weather, they’re doing so with cool beverages and treats in-hand.

The Yukon Liquor Corp. doesn’t track daily numbers, but spokesman Doug Caldwell said staff are noticing more customers buying beer and coolers.

In the week leading up to the Victoria Day long weekend, there was a 10 per cent increase in sales compared to the same week in 2014.

Liquor corporation officials are reminding Yukoners to drink responsibly and not drink and drive.

It was also noted that “exposure to the direct sun and heat combined with alcohol consumption may be a health risk for some.”

Meanwhile, the lineups for ice cream and other non-alcoholic summer goodies have also been noticeably longer at places like the Marble Slab Creamery and Riverside Grocery.

“It’s a lot busier,” Riverside Grocery owner Leona Commons said, noting many customers are coming in for a malt, ice cream or the store’s iceberg slushies.

Conversations in the store are often about the warm weather, with many hoping it will remain through the summer.

“It’s beautiful out there,” she said.