Yukon Wildland Fire Management is encouraging paddlers to avoid the Snake, Wind and Bonnet Plume rivers, as eight large wildfires are burning in the northern Yukon area.

There is no direct threat from the fires, officials said today.

However, intense, smoky conditions can be expected in parts of the rivers as the fires combined are more than 60,000 hectares in size.

“The fires burning along these rivers are very large and active, and because of that, paddlers can expect to encounter thick smoke,” said Yukon duty officer Mike Sparks.

“Our advice is to avoid the rivers if you can, as the experience won’t be that pleasant.”

One new wildfire was confirmed in the territory Sunday.

It is located in the Mayo fire district burning 178 kilometres east of Mayo near the Plato airstrip.

Elsewhere in the Mayo district, cooler temperatures and precipitation aided firefighting efforts on the 62-hectare fire burning 11 kilometres northwest of Mayo near Minto Creek, northwest of Mayo.

Over the weekend, airtankers and firefighters fought the two wildfires burning in the full response zone near Minto Creek.

The full response zone, along with the critical response zone, are the highest priority zones for suppression because of their proximity to properties.

“Both of these fires are burning approximately 12 kilometres from the community, and as a result, are a top priority,” Sparks said Saturday.

“The temperature in Mayo is very hot today (Saturday), and the fire danger rating is extreme; therefore it is important that we responded quickly and work will continue through the evening.”

Today, additional firefighters from other parts of the territory will join personnel already on site.

In Old Crow, fire behaviour was quieter Sunday than it has been in previous days thanks to cooler temperatures.

Strong east winds also helped to blow smoke away from the community.

Personnel continue to reinforce structure protection at the Rampart House and other values in the district, and that work is continuing today.

Sprinkler kits have been activated there. Some back burning was done over the weekend in an effort to remove fuels and prevent the fire from spreading in the direction of the Rampart House.

Firefighters continue to make excellent progress on the fires of note in the Dawson City district.

There are two large fires burning in remote areas that may cause smoky conditions. One is burning at kilometre 284 of the Dempster Highway, and is now an estimated 62,400 hectares.

Due to the size, travelers can expect closures, delays and smoky conditions. The other large fire is burning 69 kilometres north of Dawson City, near Wounded Creek, and is an estimated 12,799 hectares.

Cooler temperatures and higher relative humidity today are expected to reduce activity on most of the fires burning in the territory.

“This will also allow fire personnel to make further progress on suppression and site protection efforts,” officials said.

“Please do your part by preventing human-caused starts through responsible burning.”

This season, there have been 77 wildfires in the territory. Of those fires, 57 remain active.

There are no immediate plans to send any Yukon firefighters to B.C., Yukon officials said today.

If you see a wildfire report it immediately to 1-888-798-FIRE (3473).