Quick response and an alert fire lookout employee were instrumental in preventing two forest fires from getting out of control over the sunny, dry weekend.

The first blaze, burning near the cemetery on Grey Mountain Road in Whitehorse, was reported at approximately 4:50 Saturday afternoon, Wildland Fire Management said this morning.

A three-person initial attack crew from Whitehorse was dispatched by helicopter and trucked to the human-caused fire, about 0.2 hectares in size.

"Aggressive work by crews was key in preventing this fire from becoming a much more serious incident," said Mike Sparks, the Yukon Fire Centre duty officer.

"The fire was burning in grass uphill, and had potential to get into the bush. Fortunately, the fire was quickly contained and called ‘out' later that evening."

The second blaze reported over the weekend was discovered by the Haeckel Hill lookout tower just before 6:00 Sunday evening.

Six firefighters were immediately sent to the 0.7-hectare blaze, located roughly 30 kilometres southwest of Whitehorse near the Annie Lake Road.

They were assisted by both the Firecats and DC-6 airtanker group and a helicopter, with more help provided by the Mount Lorne Volunteer Fire Department.

Firefighters worked the active human-caused fire late into the night.

Five firefighters camped on site and continued work on the fire today.

"This fire had serious potential due to the proximity to homes, and if not for the alert report by the tower employee and the quick response by ground crews and airtankers, this situation would have been much worse," said Sparks.

"Fortunately, we had our resources in place and were well-prepared to respond to any weekend activity."

Fire officials are reminding the public to use extreme caution when conducting any burning, as the fire danger rating throughout the Yukon continues to climb with the current dry weather.

Wildland Fire Management reminds the public they must obtain a burning permit to burn grass, brush or debris in the territory between April 1 and Sept. 30. Permits will be suspended if the fire danger rating is moderate or higher.

There have now been three wildfires in the territory this season, burning about 1.1 hectares of forest.

For Yukon Wildfire updates, call 1-800-826-4750

Report wildfires at 1-888-798-FIRE (3473).