Firefighting costs down despite record numbers

By SHERRYL YEAGER  Star Reporter

Although 1994 saw a new record for the number of forest fires in the Yukon, the cost of fighting them will only be half what is amounted to in 1989, the previous record year.

To date, there have been 253 fires in the Yukon. That’s well above the average of 175, and besting the 1989 mark of 244.

Al Beaver, duty control officer for the Northern Affairs Program, said this year’s suppression costs will come in just over $3 million, compared to $6.5 million in 1989 and 1990.

He attributed the lower cost to the nature and location of the fires this year, and the different tactics being used to combat them.

There have been no large fires within the city limits or endangering private property this year, as happened in 1991. That year, the Haeckel Hill fire endangered several homes in the Echo Lake area of Whitehorse, Old Crow was evacuated because of smoke, and a large fire threatened Mayo.

"The locations of the fires this year just happened to have allowed us to use different tactics and strategies," said Beaver.

The Haeckel Hill fire alone cost $600,000 because of the extra crews and equipment needed.

This year, fire crews have been working portions of fires if property or natural resources are threatened, and allowing the remainder of the fire to burn away from the area, he said.

"With a lot of these fires, if you protect the one area and let the fire move, you are getting the benefits of natural wildfires."

In July, there were a lot of fires starting at once, so those in remote areas were left to burn and crews were being vigilant for fires near populated areas, he said.

Only 68 of the fires in the territory were caused by people.

"It’s been an extraordinary season for lightning," Beaver said.

He welcomed the rain that’s falling over the territory today and which is scheduled to continue for the remainder of the week.

Despite cooling temperatures, the fire hazard was high in Whitehorse and moderate in several districts across the Yukon.

There are 13 fires currently being fought. The Ross River and Mayo areas still had some problems Tuesday afternoon, although the rest of the territory has cleared up.

The fire hazard is nil in Dawson and Old Crow, and low in Haines Junction, Beaver Creek, and Watson Lake.

There have been 243,857 hectares of forest burned this year.

Now, there are 77 fires burning, 64 of which are being monitored. Those being fought are in the Whitehorse, Carmacks, Mayo, Dawson, Ross River and Watson Lake regions.

In 1989, there were 234 fires as of this date, while in 1990, there were 138, and in 1992 only 116.