A 15,000-hectare fire burning near Watson Lake has destroyed a trapper's cabin and threatened a government maintenance camp.

The fire, about 16 kilometres long, is about 80 kilometres from the town of Watson Lake and north of Stewart Lake.

"About 200 hectares have burned on the East side of the (Robert Campbell) highway and we have cat guards built on that side," said Tony Carson, of Northern Affairs.

"It's been tough getting the most recent information but we have guys flying over for a period of time."

Carsons said the camp at Tuchitua, now used as a YTG maintenance depot, is being threatened by the fire.

The cabin of Jimmy Stewart, a trapper in the area, has been destroyed.

There are 80 firefighters on the blaze with four helicopters and several air tankers available.

The Simpson Lake campground at kilometre 80 on the Robert Campbell Highway has been closed.

Crews fighting fires in the Watson Lake District have taken over the campground for a base camp.

There are a total of 75 fires burning in the Yukon, including 31 in Dawson, 17 in Watson Lake and seven in Carmacks.

Fire hazard reports indicate all areas of the territory are high, very high or extreme, with only Ross River and Beaver Creek classified as moderate.

There have been 123 fires this year to date, compared with 34 last year, 53 in 1989 and 52 in 1988.