The risk of flooding this spring is low right across the Yukon, as is the potential for large wildfires this spring, Yukon government staff indicated in a briefing Thursday.

Anthony Bier, the acting senior hydrologist with the water resources branch, said the snowpack across the south and east of the territory is near average.

The highest relative snowpack is in the Beaver Creek area.

“Central Yukon and White River basins are ordinarily very dry, so while their relative snowpack is the highest, their absolute snowpack is still the lowest,” says a slide presented by Bier during his presentation.

The snowpack in and around Whitehorse, for instance, ranges from 10 per cent above average to 10 per cent below average.

Bier said localized snowmelt flooding issues could still be problematic, given high groundwater levels.

Flood potential related to ice jamming during river break-up, he indicated, is always present and largely depends on weather.

“Freshet flood potential is low for communities, but small water courses in some locations have the potential for significant flows,” he said.

Bier said water resources staff continue to monitor conditions throughout the flood season and will issue advisories if necessary.

Potential for ice jam flooding is also low across most of the territory, though there is a moderate risk on the Nordenskiold and Porcupine rivers.

There is also a moderate to high risk of ice jam flooding on Rock Creek in the Dawson region, he pointed out.

Bier noted the potential of high water along highways is low for most of the territory, with the exception of moderate risk along the North Klondike Highway in the Kluane region, the South Klondike Highway and the Robert Campbell Highway.

Mike Smith is the chief meteorologist with Yukon Wildland Fire Management.

He said weather factors for fires in the spring are related to early or rapid snow melt combined with extended drying, with little or 
no precipitation.

Temperatures this spring, Smith indicated, are expected to be below seasonal normals with the exception of warm temperatures in southeast Yukon next week.

Overnight freezing temperatures are continuing, he said.

He said the spring precipitation pattern is not showing any heavy rain in the next two weeks, but localized convective snow and rain showers become increasingly likely.

Wildland Fire Management has also created a new site to keep people informed about the state of wildfires in the territory: https://Yukon.ca/wildfires.

While the threat of flooding and wildfire is low, preparations have been made and are in place to deal with and flooding and wildfires that do arise.

Greg Blackjack, the director of the Emergency Measures Organization, said EMO works with Wildland Fire Management, the Department of Highways and Public Works, communities and external partners.

Seasonal readiness meetings have been held with partners inside and outside of the Yukon government, he said.

There has been, for instance, preparation discussions with all the Yukon communities to make sure they’re getting the relevant information from the experts.

He said response materials were shipped to the community facilities and highway camps over the winter.

Approximately 500,000 to 700,000 sandbags have been distributed, along with 20,000 superbags and 800 feet of tiger dams that can be filled with water for flood control.

There are two sandbagging ma-chines in Whitehorse.

And agreements are in place with suppliers to procure more flood response material if needed, Blackjack explained.

The director of EMO noted individuals also need to make sure they’re prepared for an emergency.

With ground water levels high in some locations, people with basements can look at being prepared with sump pumps, he said.

Similarly, Blackjack said, sump pumps can be used to deal with flooding in yards.

He said proper snow-clearing will also help prevent the accumulation of water, and people should make sure gutters on their roofs are clear, he said.