Ruiter Creek fire near Dawson City grows to 220 hectares

The Ruiter Creek fire 11 kilometres northeast of Dawson City grew to 220 hectares overnight Saturday.

Twenty firefighters, six helicopters and an air tanker were busy trying to put that blaze out over the weekend, Yukon Wildland Fire Management said.

In a Facebook post, Dawson mayor Wayne Potoroka said the fire posed no immediate danger to the town. He urged residents who might want to take a closer look at the fire to stay away from Fire Tower Road and let firefighters do their job.

"Forest fires pose a serious risk to your personal safety—especially if you get too close and experience a breakdown of your vehicle," Potoroka wrote. "Plus, you are one more thing for the crews to worry about if they have even a notion you're in the vicinity."

Meanwhile, Yukon Wildland Fire Management reported eight new fires in the territory Saturday, all caused by lightning, including five near Mayo. Fire crews in the air and on the ground battled three blazes especially close to the community. 

Fire officials said a fire burning near Eagle Plains Lodge was smaller Saturday, due to rain and cooler temperatures in the area. 

The fire hazard over large parts of northern, central and southwest Yukon was downgraded to low or moderate Saturday, thanks to the weather. However the risk remained extreme in the Teslin, Ross River and Whitehorse fire districts, and high in the area around Dawson City. 

Campfires are allowed, though discouraged, everywhere except within Whitehorse and Dawson city limits and the Wolf Creek campground.