Home / Environment / Yukon Smoke Plagues Residents Amidst Fuel Break Burns
Yukon Smoke Plagues Residents Amidst Fuel Break Burns
28 Nov
Summary
- Residents report thick smoke causing throat and eye irritation.
- Yukon wildfire officials are installing more air quality monitors.
- Controlled burning for wildfire prevention has accelerated this fall.
Yukon wildfire officials are increasing air quality monitoring south of Whitehorse following resident complaints about pervasive smoke. Contractors are actively burning woody debris as part of a multi-year effort to create a fuel break protecting the city from potential wildfires.
The accelerated pace of this fall's controlled burning, which is ahead of schedule, has led to more visible smoke than anticipated. Officials cite delays from last year and an expansion of the fuel break project as reasons for the increased activity this year.
While acknowledging residents' concerns, territorial officials state that air quality data has not shown excessive spikes beyond typical local wood stove use. They are actively monitoring the situation and have expanded the network of air quality monitors in affected areas like Mount Sima and Mary Lake.
