The Yukon saw its wildfire total reach 50 for the season as two new wildfires were confirmed Sunday. They are located in the Klondike and Northern Tutchone regions and are burning in the wilderness zone, with no values at immediate risk.

“The weekend saw a significant amount of lightning activity and, as a result, 11 new fires were discovered,” duty Officer Kris Johnson of Yukon Wildland Fire Management said Sunday.

“Fortunately, the new fires were either contained to a small size or burning in the wilderness zone.”

The weekend also saw fire activity moderate on the existing priority fires burning in the Klondike region. This enabled fire personnel to make excellent progress on their fire management objectives, officials said.

That personnel included a 19-person unit crew from British Columbia as well as an Incident Management Team that are now overseeing the Eldorado fire burning about 16 kilometres south of Dawson City.

It remains a top priority and firefighters, aircraft and heavy equipment continued work Monday.

The downturn in fire behaviour also allowed the Dempster Highway to remain open Sunday.

Since a large fire continues to burn on both sides of the highway, it may be closed at kilometre 284 on short notice. Motorists are advised to visit www.511yukon.ca for the latest road conditions.

Fire officials continue to monitor four large fires burning in the wilderness zone of the Old Crow district. They do not pose a risk to the community, and precipitation is forecast for the area.

With active lightning continuing in the northern part of the territory, specifically the Klondike and Northern Tutchone regions, regular detection flights are being conducted.

The public is also asked to be aware and report any wildfires to 1-888-798-FIRE (3473).

This season, there have been 50 fires burning approximately 69,879 hectares.