DAWSON CITY – Given the potential for flood and fire issues this summer after what happened across the country in 2023, the Yukon government has been scheduling regular updates on these issues.

There was one in March, and the latest meeting was held Thursday.

Community Services Minister Richard Mostyn indicated that the government has decided to be proactive on these issues and has budgeted for increases in coverage and response measures.

All presenters were clear on the idea that there are things individuals can do to be ready for emergencies, just in case.

He is aware of the dissatisfaction with the post-event government response in the Klondike in 2023 and vowed to improve on that performance.

All the presenters stressed it’s important for residents to know the risks, make a plan in advance and prepare an emergency kit that will cover a potential of 72 hours of emergency supplies should they be needed.

Anthony Bier, the acting senior hydrologist for the water resources branch, made a presentation on flood risks.

He noted that there are particular concerns for this season in the Klondike Valley (which suffered an unusual two floods last spring) and in the Old Crow area.

Other areas are currently labelled low-risk from April to June. The Klondike Valley drops to moderate in May-June, while Old Crow remains high.

Whitehorse, Carcross, Tagish, Marsh Lake and Lake Laberge remain at low-flow levels well into August.

The April 1 snowpack reading showed lower levels between Watson Lake and Mayo.

However, the Dawson area was at 124 per cent, the Dempster corridor from 140 per cent to 177 per cent (average 140 per cent) and the Old Crow region 176 per cent.

There are several potential causes of flood risk each year: local snowmelt runoff; river ice breakup; snowmelt peak flows; summer peaks; convective storms; and groundwater levels.

Much of what might happen is dependent on weather.

Sudden warming could result in more severe ice jamming if river flows rise rapidly before substantial ice decay has occurred.

There is a potential for problems at the Ogilvie Bridge across the Klondike River outside of Dawson, where there was “a dynamic freeze-up” in the fall and both water levels and groundwater levels are high.

There was flooding on both sides of the Klondike Highway near there last spring.

The Dempster Highway has freshet flood potential at river crossings.

Advisories will be posted on Advisories/flood Atlas (yukon.ca) from April 15 onwards.

High water advisories will be issued when break-up is imminent to alert residents of the potential for rapid water level rising.

Haley Ritchie, a fire information officer Yukon Wildland Fire Management, said preparations for the fire season include six regional bases and five forward attack bases with 75 firefighters and 40 overhead staff.

There are 14 agreements with First Nations and Yukon First Nation Wildfire.

Four additional crews have been hired this year, to be stationed in Whitehorse, Dawson, Watson Lake and Haines Junction.

Fire danger ratings come into effect as the snow begins to melt. The forecast is that the temperature and precipitation for April and May look to be near-normal, but this could change unpredictably. Wildfire forecasting is three to 10 days out.

Burn permits have been required since April 1.

Yukoners are advised to play their parts by applying FireSmart principles to their home and property this spring. Prescribed burning is being considered in Watson Lake, Mayo, Carmacks, and Whitehorse.

Consult https://yukon.ca/get-wildfire-updates for information.

Suggestions for an evacuation kit can be found at PreparedYukon.ca, as well as at https://www.yukon.ca/emergencies