Yukon Wildland Fire Management is working hard to suppress a new, out-of-control fire near Dawson City.

This blaze is located near Hunker Creek, about 30 kilometres southeast of the town.

Mike Fancie, Wildland’s information officer, told the Star Thursday the fire was discovered at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday. It is approximately 850 hectares in size.

The fire was caused by a lightning strike.

Crews continue to search for property values ahead of the fire’s course to confirm that none are at risk.

There are bulldozers in the area helping in the effort to contain the outbreak and build fire flank guards, as well as helicopter and aircraft support.

Dominion Road is being used as a control line.

According to Wildland’s Fire activity report, more crews were expect to get to Dawson today.

Wildland’s goal is to get this fire under control as soon as possible, Fancie noted.

He said it’s too early to tell when this could happen, as Dawson is experiencing hot weather and extreme fire conditions.

Unfavourable forest fuels are contributing to the situation.

The fire poses no danger to Dawson, but has caused the closure of the Hunker Creek Road at the North Klondike Highway.

Dominion Road users cannot leave the area via the Hunker Creek Road, and must instead use the Sulphur Creek and Bonanza Creek roads.

Meanwhile, parts of southern Yukon are being affected by wildfire smoke that is being transported across the border by high-pressure conditions in the atmosphere above the Alaskan interior and southern Yukon.

Multiple fires in the Alaska interior, including a 16,000-hectare wildfire near Swan Lake, are producing more smoke due to warmer and drier conditions. As July 4 looms, fireworks use has been banned in many of the populated areas of Alaska because of the fire danger.

As of today, no wildfires in southern Yukon are responsible for the current haze.