A rash of wildfires over the holiday weekend has Yukon Wildland Fire Management scrambling and under intense pressure.

According to the latest information from Haley Ritchie, a fire information officer, the North Klondike Highway has been closed from Pelly Crossing to Stewart Crossing “due to intense smoke from the Crystal Creek fire (MA-021).”

“The fire is over 1,500 hectares and moved closer to the highway around 10:15 (Sunday evening),” she said.

“There is no immediate threat to the community of Stewart Crossing right now. The community remains on an evacuation alert.

“Wildland Fire staff assessed from the air this morning and are working with Highways and Public Works on a solution to allow limited movement of vehicles with assistance from pilot cars. There is no timeline right now on reopening.”

Wildland Fire Management stated, “RCMP have cleared vehicles from the highway and the road is officially closed. The highway is impassable due to thick smoke generated from the fire, which is burning within 200 metres of the road. The closure is temporary.

“Wildland Fire is working with Highways and Public Works on a solution to allow limited movement of vehicles. The highway will remain closed until the safety of the route can be assessed tomorrow.”

Meanwhile, in the Beaver Creek area, “the Snag Creek fire (BC-003) is burning around 15 kilometres northeast of Beaver Creek in the strategic zone. The fire originated from a suspected lightning strike July 1. The Snag Creek fire is currently 900 hectares in size but burning away from the community.

“It does not present an immediate risk to people and property. Wildland Fire is setting up advanced sprinkler systems to protect the community as a precaution.

“Considerable smoke is forecast for the Beaver Creek area in the next two days.”

The unit also reported the Nahanni Road, north of Watson Lake, has been closed due to a large fire burning at kilometre 76 to 78.

“The Caesar Lake fire (WL-012) is currently 160 hectares and continuing to grow. A crew and helicopter are currently on-site to respond to the fire and contact recreationists who may be in the area.

“People south of kilometre 74 should exit the area and go south to Watson Lake. The Robert Campbell Highway remains closed due to a different fire at Frances Lake (WL-008) that has closed the road north of the Nahanni junction.”

Wildland Fire stated, “Right now there are 82 active fires. All are lightning-caused and 21 have started in the last 24 hours.

“Fires of concern in the Silver Trail area, including around Mayo and Keno City, are being assessed and actioned right now.

“The Two Buttes fire (MA-026) southeast of Mayo is being assessed this morning and the 12-hectare Liberal Ridge fire (MA-016), located 10 kilometres west of Mayo, has been contained by retardant and received bucketing from a helicopter yesterday.

“The Hansen Lakes fire (MA-030) north of Keno reached McQuestern Road this morning and resulted in an emergency evacuation of the Hansen Lake and McQuestern Lake area by a Wildland Fire crew. More lightning-caused fires are anticipated in the area.”

An immediate emergency evacuation occurred at Ethel Lake campground and the surrounding area due to a wildfire.

The six-hectare Ethel Lake fire (MA-032) is east of the campground and is a risk to people and structures nearby.

Wildland Fire crews are currently on-site and working with the RCMP in the Yukon, the Department of Energy, Mines and Resources staff and volunteer firefighters to notify people and co-ordinate the evacuation.

Any persons who are placed on immediate tactical evacuation order should register with Emergency Support Services as soon as possible by calling 867-332-7367.

Registration allows responders to track evacuees, who may be eligible for supports such as temporary lodging, food, and incidental expenses.

Evacuees seeking lodging with family and friends are eligible for financial supports through Emergency Support Services.

No break in the hot temperatures, which have set some Yukon records in recent days, is anticipated until late this week.