An evacuation alert sparked by a nearby Shanghai Creek wildfire remains in effect for Keno City and the former mining town of Elsa.

Fire information officer Maxim Naylor told the Star this morning the blaze was estimated Sunday at 3,200 hectares burning 2.6 kilometres east of Elsa and seven kilometres from Keno.

The population of Keno was estimated at 24 residents in 2016, while Elsa is largely a historic site with a few buildings left, Naylor said.

He said there are 15 firefighters on the Shanghai Creek fire with support from four helicopters and four bulldozers.

There is also a structural protection specialist, a special unit protection trailer and a crew of five assigned to the fire, along with an overhead management team of four, he explained.

Naylor said aerial ignition was successful Sunday in turning the fire away from the Hanson Lakes to the north of Keno.

Bulldozers are working today along the east flank to establish a firebreak between the fire and Elsa, he explained.

Naylor said work is also progressing on the large Hunker fire south of Dawson City and the Pigue fire along the North Klondike Highway.

The Shanghai Creek fire, started by lightning, was first reported last Thursday afternoon.

Initially, it was thought the Shanghai fire would not become any risk to persons nor property.

That assessment changed Saturday and an evacuation alert was issued for both Elsa and Keno.

“An evacuation alert has been issued by Yukon Emergency Measures Organization for kilometres 83 to 111 of the Silver Trail Highway, and the communities of Elsa and Keno City. Included in this alert is the area to the north end of the Hansen Lakes,” says the alert.

“This alert is due to increased risk from the wildfire in that area. Yukon residents and visitors in the affected area have been placed on alert and must be ready to evacuate within two hours of being notified.”

To prepare for this eventuality, people are urged to:

• locate all family members and designate a safe meeting place;

• gather essential items such as medication, eyeglasses, valuable papers and immediate care needs for dependents;

• move livestock or pets to a safe area;

• arrange transport for your household members in anticipation of a potential evacuation order;

• arrange accommodation for your family (in the event of an evacuation order, emergency accommodation may be provided) if required; and

• monitor local news sources and the Yukon government website for updated information on the status of the fire and impact on the area.

In the Dawson zone, the two major fires continue to be of no risk to Dawson. Progress is being made, though as of Sunday, both fires were showing an increase in fire behaviour due to recent warm and dry weather.

Claire Allen and Forest Tower, the information officers with the new incident management team that took over Friday, issued the following reports:

Hunker fire: crews continue to make good progress on the Hunker Summit fire. Saturday, firefighters mopped up the Champion Ridge area and tackled hot spots in the Dominion Creek drainage.

Heavy equipment also continues to work on rehab. This fire remains approximately three kilometres away from the Klondike Highway. The highway remains open but smoke may impact visibility.

The Pigue Creek fire update:

Firefighters are conducing containment operations, mop-up, and patrol north along Slough Creek area and west to Gravel Creek. Crews are working in the Sterling Bend area to mop up hot spots.

The Pigue Creek fire has not grown in size over the last few days, with decreased fire activity. The Klondike Highway remains open.

Sixty resources, including support staff, are being shared between the Hunker fire and Pigue Creek.

Ten pieces of heavy equipment are also assisting with suppression activities on the Hunker incident, with one at Pigue Creek.

Four helicopters are also assisting with suppression activities on both wildfires.

– With a file from Dan Davidson in Dawson City.