Hot, dry weather is forecast for the Yukon and fire officials are advising the public to take extra precautions later this week and next weekend.

'There is a high potential for ignition during the next several days and foreseeable future,' Ken Colbert, head of Wildland Fire Management, said in a statement today. 'The highest risk of ignition will be at the end of the dry spell. It is important for people to know this.'

Both south and central Yukon are expected to experience high to extreme fire danger conditions for the next several days, as a result of an upper ridge building over the Yukon, says the release. Included with this ridge will be scattered lightning. Temperatures may reach 30 C.

'The next few days will be hot and dry,' said Don Green, Fire Management meteorologist. 'These conditions will be followed by lightning through central Yukon Friday or Saturday.'

'With this degree of expected fire behaviour, we'll need nature's assistance to control any fires that start,' said Al Beaver, the Yukon duty officer. 'We'll be able to attack and control most of the fires that start but some will get bigger.'

Fire officials are stressing that the public be aware of the role they play when dealing with fires and fire safety. They're reminding the public that burning permits must be obtained before burning.

Campfires must not be left unattended, and campers should always make sure their campfires are out before they leave.

'As the summer continues, these conditions may become more extreme,' said Beaver, adding lightning fires cannot be prevented, though fires caused by humans can be.

'People should be aware of this and act accordingly with the given weather forecasts.'

Meanwhile, two newly-reported fires near Wellesley Lake are being monitored.

One is a 40-hectare blaze 40 kilometres southeast of Wellesley Lake and the other is an eight-hectare fire 17 km east of Wellesley Lake.

The 40-hectare fire was reported Monday by aircraft to the Haines Junction fire center on June 14. The eight-hectare fire was called in to the Haines Junction office by the Wellesley Lake Lodge owner Sunday evening.

Both fires are in the wilderness observation zone, and are not threatening any structures.

There are now three fires burning in the Wellesley Lake area, including a fire reported June 4. Fire officials planned to fly over these outbreaks later today to further assess them. All three were started by lightning.

The public is asked to be aware of any suspicious smoke and report it immediately by calling 1-888-798-FIRE (3473).