A flurry of public calls to the wildfire reporting number late Thursday afternoon reporting smoke near Ft. Selkirk and the Pelly Farm prompted quick action by Wildland Fire Management.

The Firecat airtanker group was launched out of Whitehorse and the DC-6 group from Dawson City, fire officials said today.

The fire was confirmed soon after near the confluence of the Yukon and Pelly Rivers, burning on the east side of the Yukon River about 16 kilometres south of the Pelly Farm.

There are numerous properties in the vicinity, including the Pelly Farm and Ft. Selkirk.

While none are being immediately threatened by the blaze, fire officials mobilized numerous resources to fight the outbreak, including crews out of Carmacks and Ross River, as well as several helicopters. Sprinkler units were also deployed last night for site protection.

The fire, upslope from the Yukon River, is thought to be a holdover lightning fire.

Fire officials are keeping in close contact with the people at Pelly Farm and Ft. Selkirk regarding the status of the fire.

Air tankers worked late into Thursday evening and made good progress on the 75-hectare fire.

'We hit the fire hard and fast,' said Lorne Harris, the Yukon duty officer.

'There are significant values in this area so we will be continuing action on this fire.'

The current fire danger rating is extreme in Whitehorse and Carmacks.

Ross River is high, and the rest of the territory is low to moderate. There have been 28 fires in the Yukon so far this year.

Wildland Fire Management is reminding the public to be careful with fire. Never burn in windy conditions, keep a water source nearby and ensure fires are completely extinguished before leaving the area.

'We also want to thank the public for continuing to report wildfires,' officials said in a statement.