The Yukon government has lifted the ban on open fires in all fire management areas across the territory.

A rainfall last weekend and a forecast downturn in weather conditions has reduced the fire danger for most of the territory, while allowing firefighters to make progress on a number of priority wildfires.

Effective Tuesday, there were no longer any areas of the Yukon, outside of national parks, that are under a fire ban.

“The Government of Yukon continues to lead an effective wildfire management response as suppression and fire monitoring work continues through a busy fire season,” the government said in a statement Tuesday.

This year has seen above-average wildfire activity in Yukon: 72 fires have burned 203,078 hectares, compared to a 10-year average of 162,367 hectares affected by 109 wildfires.

About four in 10 wildfires this year have been human-caused, up from the 10-year average of 27 per cent.

“Yukoners are reminded to exercise caution when using fire; a wildfire can still catch and spread quickly,” the government said.

“Do not build campfires larger than needed, and ensure all fires are completely out before leaving them.”

A burn permit is required from April 1 to Sept. 30 in all areas of the Yukon.

You must also check with the local municipal authority for additional restrictions on burning within the municipality.

All burn permits are automatically suspended when the local fire danger rating is moderate, high, or extreme.

Meanwhile, two new wildfires were reported last weekend.

A 0.01-hectare fire five km west of Beaver Creek was quickly contained, said Yukon Wildland Fire Management.

A four-hectare wildfire near the Klondike Highway in the Twin Lakes area north of Whitehorse was also contained by airtanker action last Saturday; wildfire crews continue to work the fire.

Both fires were caused by lightning. Neither threatens any people or property.

Fire danger ratings, meanwhile, are subject to change.