People are to blame for the latest wildfire, officials say.

Six firefighters with Yukon Wildland Fire Management contained the only new wildfire in the territory Wednesday.

The 0.5-hectare blaze in the Whitehorse district was discovered by a helicopter pilot in the area near Little River, 43 kilometres northwest of Whitehorse.

Firefighters were called at around 2:45 p.m.

"This is another human-caused fire this week in the territory that was preventable and had the potential to be very serious,” duty officer Lorne Harris said in a statement.

"With conditions still dry and increased winds in much of the territory, it is important the public be responsible with any burning.”

The fire was contained Wednesday. Firefighters planned to return to the scene this morning to ensure it has been fully extinguished.

The blaze is one of almost a dozen fires to be human-caused this week.

The RCMP and fire officials are searching for information on a number of suspicious blazes in the Mayo area over the summer, including five that occurred Tuesday evening.

Anyone with information is asked to call Mayo's fire district office at 867-996-3200 or the Mayo RCMP at 867-996-5555.

The Mayo district has seen the most fires this season, with 30 burning more than 23,000 hectares.

The Old Crow district, however, has seen the largest amount of land burned at more than 31,000 hectares burned by 14 fires.

The Beaver Creek district is the only area to not have any fires this season.

Now that the hunting season is officially underway, fire officials are also asking hunters as well as those just out camping to use caution and make sure campfires are fully extinguished.

"Putting your fire out properly is simple and necessary,” Harris said.

"If someone is found guilty of deliberately lighting a wildfire or not extinguishing their fire properly, they could be charged and be held liable for the firefighting costs.”

So far this season, 108 fires have burned close to 76,000 hectares.

Anyone who spots a wildfire is asked to report it immediately to 1-888-798-3473.

By STEPHANIE WADDELL

Star Reporter