A lightning storm through the northern part of the territory resulted in a number of new fires Thursday, with the total expected to exceed 15.

The most significant of the new activity is a 60-hectare blaze near Dominion Creek, approximately 37 kilometres southeast of Dawson City.

"With the extreme conditions and the fire's proximity to Dawson City, we immediately actioned this fire with airtankers, helicopters and firefighters,” duty officer Lorne Harris of Yukon Wildland Fire Management said today.

"It remains active, but fortunately there has been some rain on the fire, which has slowed the fire behaviour but has made conditions smoky in Dawson City and the nearby areas.”

Action on the fire continued late into the night, and firefighters and air resources returned to the fire this morning.

No properties are at immediate risk, but it remains a top priority for fire officials.

Another notable new fire in the Dawson district is burning south of Australia Mountain, approximately 88 kilometres southeast of Dawson. It's not threatening any values, but it is quite visible from the Klondike Highway.

The remaining Dawson fires are located in remote areas.

Some mining camps are being impacted as a result. Staff at those sites have been notified, with some choosing to self-evacuate as a precautionary measure, Wildland Fire Management said.

Lightning also triggered several new fires in the Old Crow district Thursday evening, none of which are affecting the village.

Fire officials planned to reassess the new starts today.

A number of other possible fires in the North are being discovered via the MODIS satellite detection system but have yet to be confirmed.

With the new fires and ongoing activity, those in the central and northern parts of the territory can expect to encounter smoke.

Smoky conditions are also likely in Beaver Creek due to a large fire in Alaska which remains 30 kilometres from the community.

Due to the current situation and expected new starts, firefighting personnel from British Columbia are now providing assistance in the territory.

Twenty-one initial attack firefighters arrived Thursday morning, while an additional 20-person unit landed in Whitehorse late Thursday night.

The public is reminded that given the current conditions, burning permits are currently suspended across the territory.