A forest fire in the Watson Lake district could affect Yukoners’ and other northerners’ cell and broadband services, though weather is working in the fibre line’s favour.

In a statement released late this morning, Northwestel Inc. officials said the blaze “has been determined to be a potential imminent threat to the Northwestel fibre line and to all Yukon broadband and cellular services, as well as broadband services to Fort McPherson, Tsigehchic, Inuvik and Tuktoyaktuk in the N.W.T.

“Emergency services, businesses and residents are encouraged to prepare for a potential loss of services.”

However, Yukon Wildland Fire information officers George Maratos said at 12:40 this afternoon that given the forecast showers and wind direction in the coming days, the fire is not expected to impact the fibre line, as first thought.

While there have been no new blazes in the territory in the last 24 hours, today’s fire report noted work is continuing on the 26,240-hectare active blaze 72 kilometres east of Watson Lake.

Twenty-five firefighters and five helicopters have been assigned to the blaze.

The fire is not currently affecting the Alaska Highway, though smoky conditions can be expected along parts of the artery from the Coal River Logging Road east to the Fireside Lodge.

Smoky conditions are also expected in Watson Lake and surrounding areas.

If it were anticipated to be hot with no rain, there would be a greater risk to the fibre line, Maratos said, emphasizing the work being done to control the fire.

If the cell and broadband connection were lost, it is anticipated landline phone service in the Yukon and MacKenzie Delta communities would be maintained, Northwestel said.

“Should the fibre line be affected, Northwestel has limited data bandwidth over its radio network, which will be prioritized for emergency services.”

The company went on to note it will be providing regular updates on the situation.