The territorial government and Yukon First Nations have renewed three-year agreements for managing wildfires.

In its announcement Thursday, the government said the arrangement reflects its commitment to working with First Nations “and being there for Yukoners in times of crisis.”

The pacts outline hiring procedures for initial attack firefighters across the Yukon.

One of the agreements encompasses a new Initial Attack Crew Administration arrangement between the government and the Carcross/Tagish First Nation (CFTN).

Starting this year, CFTN citizens hired under this model can become seasonal Yukon government employees. This is in addition to 12 Initial Attack Crew Services agreements with other First Nations.

Several models for wildfire response are in place across the Yukon depending on the preference of First Nations governments for direct hiring of wildland firefighters or delegating administration to others.

While some First Nations hire crew members directly through development corporations, others delegate contracts to Yukon First Nations Wildfire.

These contracted employees are trained and integrated on a yearly basis into the territorial Wildland Fire Management organization.

“Yukon First Nations have a long history of working with local fire management agencies that predates devolution,” said Community Services Minister Richard Mostyn.

“Through government-to-government agreements, we are supporting economic opportunities for First Nations governments in wildfire management while also contributing to the Yukon’s proactive efforts to manage wildfires.”

Before devolution, many Yukon First Nations governments hired and maintained separate wildland fire crews.

The agreement between the CFTN and the government exists in recognition of the wildland firefighting components of Chapter 17 of the CFTN Final Agreement.

As part of it, both parties commit to developing a Community Wildfire Protection Plan that would highlight priority risk reduction locations for future FireSmart funding.

In addition to the agreement with the CFTN, the government signed 12 Initial Attack Crew Services Agreements with First Nations.

These eight are administered by Yukon First Nations Wildfire Limited Partnership:

• Little Salmon Carmacks First Nation;

• White River First Nation;

• Ta’an Kwach’an Council;

• Liard First Nation;

• Kluane First Nation;

• Champagne Aishihik First Nation;

• Nacho Nyak Dun First Nation; and

• Ross River Dena Council.

Four are administered by development corporations or First Nations directly:

• Selkirk First Nation;

• Vuntut First Nation;

• Teslin Tlingit First Nation; and

• Kwanlin Dün First Nation.