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TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS
Travel on the Taylor Highway between mileposts 0 at Tetlin
Junction, and Mile 91 at Jack Wade remains closed to all traffic today to
protect the safety of the public and fire fighting crews. The Division of
Forestry continues to monitor the fire situation to determine when it
will be safe to reopen the Taylor Highway.
The Taylor
Highway is open from the border to Eagle to public traffic.
Travelers should proceed with caution due to smoke and potential fire
activity throughout the area.
The Alaska
Highway, Yukon portion, is open at Swan Lake km 1152.
There is reduced visibility due to smoke from Rancheria km 1099 to Dawson Peaks km 1232.
There may be further road closures with short notice. Motorists are
reminded to drive with headlights on at all times. Please be advised of
smoke in the areas around Sheep Mountain and Destruction Bay. For current
updates, visit the Government of Yukon, Dept. of Highway and Public Works.
FIRE
UPDATES
During the peak burning periods yesterday extreme fire behavior was
observed on all fires, with flame lengths of 200 feet at times. With
another day of predicted hot dry weather, the same fire behavior is
anticipated for today.
The Chicken fire is now approximately 33,000 acres. Firefighters
continued burnout and structure protection activities throughout the day
Wednesday, along the highway and around the community of Chicken.
Approximately 100 travelers and public remain safely in Chicken until the
road can be safely opened to their passage out of the area.
The Mosquito Fork Fire located north of Chicken was declared contained on
6/23. Mop up activities are continuing today.
The Wall Street Fire, located to the east of Chicken at mile 79 Taylor
Highway, grew substantially during yesterdays fire activity. The
fire crossed the Taylor highway in a number of locations. Staff from the
Chicken fire assisted with mapping and structure protection and will be
assessing structures, campgrounds and other facilities for protection
today.
The Porcupine Fire located north and east of Tok, grew to over an
estimated 16,000 acres. The fire made runs to the north and then east,
crossing the Taylor Highway between mile 14 and 20 last evening.
Burnout operations were successful in some areas in slowing the spread of
the fire last night. An extensive smoke plume was clearly visible from
town all day. This morning the community of Tok was covered by a thick
blanket of smoke from the fires in the area.
The Billy Creek Fire located northwest of Tok also continues to grow.
Last evening two fire fighters were dropped by helicopter to provide
protection of a cabin on T Lake.
Another fire at American Summit, approximately 10 miles south of Eagle,
briefly crossed the Taylor Highway yesterday. Firefighters were
later successful in holding the 10,000-acre American Summit fire west of
the highway. Travelers may experience delays near American Summit
depending on fire and smoke conditions.
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