Yukon Wildland Fire Management’s prescribed fire operation in the Mary Lake area prompted calls to the fire department and the Star on Tuesday afternoon.

Residents were wondering about the smoke that began covering a large part of the city.

A test burn was done last Friday to confirm whether conditions would allow for this week’s continuing operation.

“Like all prescribed fire, this work takes place under strict weather and safety conditions to minimize risk to the public,” Wildland Fire Management said in a statement.

Crews are using prescribed fire to remove slash left over from last year’s fuel reduction work to make the Mary Lake Shaded Fuel Break more effective and create good growing conditions for the aspen trees that will be planted in the area in 2023.

The Mary Lake Shaded Fuel Break is part of the Whitehorse South Fuel Break.

This is a strategic fire guard that reduces the risk of catastrophic wildfire to the city and surrounding subdivisions.

While burning takes place, limited amounts of smoke will be visible from the work site about one kilometre south of the Mary Lake subdivision.

Public access to the area is being limited while Wildland Fire Management vehicles and staff are at work.