Crews from P.E.I. deployed to aid in Yukon wildfire fight

WHITEHORSE – Firefighters from several jurisdictions across North America are slated to join the wildfire fight in Yukon. 

A bulletin issued Monday from Yukon Wildland Fire Management said support so far includes a heavy structure protection unit from Alberta, two helicopters and eight initial-attack crews from British Columbia, an 11-person wildfire crew from Oregon and one radio operator from New Brunswick.

Prince Edward Island also said in a news release that 10 of its 55 forest firefighting staff will be heading to the territory.

The P.E.I. government said the move comes after its crews returned from helping battle blazes in Manitoba and Saskatchewan.

Yukon’s latest wildfire update said there are about 85 active fires burning in the territory, most of which are located in the Dawson and Mayo fire centres. 

Extra help closer to home is coming from a three-person team from the Whitehorse Fire Department and two 10-person crews from Yukon First Nations Wildfire.

“These resources are providing crucial support in suppression efforts, structure protection, and coordination of communications in challenging terrain and rapidly changing conditions,” the bulletin said. 

There were nine so-called fires of note listed Monday on the Yukon fire dashboard, which are classified as being either highly visible or a threat to public safety by encroaching on a community or critical infrastructure such as a highway.

The Yukon government said a Level 2 fire restriction is in place for most of the territory due to “high fire activity,” which means all fires are banned with the exception of cooking and warming fires in provided fire pits and stoves at road-accessible campgrounds.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 30, 2025.