Lightning activity has caused 14 new Yukon wildfires this week following several large thunderstorms.

All of these fires, except for a transitional-zone fire near Tuchitua River, are located in wilderness response zones and are being monitored by officials.

The 490-hectare Tuchitua River fire was actioned Tuesday by crews and air tankers, fire officials said today. It’s 10 kilometres west of the Robert Campbell Highway, which is not currently threatened.

The Clear Creek fire in the Dawson City region has grown to 8,800 hectares and crews are installing preventative structure protection at local sites.

Some precautionary measures are being taken around some development in the vicinity.

The Lake Laberge fire has grown to 1,700 hectares in size as the fire spreads northwards. Crews are preparing to install structure protection at Hootalinqua today.

The Yukon government is tracking the wildfire in the Watson Lake area and is keeping track of the rapidly-growing fire near Lake Laberge.

Julia Duchesne, a spokesperson for the Department of Community Service, told the Star Tuesday the Lake Laberge fire had intially been assessed Monday afternoon at approximately 350 hectares.

By Tuesday morning, it had grown to an estimated 700 to 800 hectares.

“Fortunately it’s burning to the north and away from any development,” Duchesne said. “We will keep monitoring it.”

The Watson Lake-Tintina area fire was likely caused by lightning.

Some precautionary measures are being taken with some nearby development.