Yukon says N.W.T. citizens welcome if fires force them out

Yukon says it will take in Northwest Territories residents if they're forced out of their communities by forest fires.

Yukon premier Darrell Pasloski says he's made the offer to his counterpart in the N.W.T., Bob McLeod.

"Should the situation require any temporary relocation of residents, we are prepared to host our neighbours and assist with transportation support," Pasloski said.

He says his officials have also told the City of Whitehorse, First Nations and the RCMP that they may be asked for assistance.

More than 20 Yukon firefighters are in the Northwest Territories helping to battle some of the more than 300 fires that have started over the season.

Mike Smith with Yukon Wildland Fire Management says crews are working in very tough conditions.

"The fire situation is one of the most active I have ever seen, for anybody who has been watching the news, there are fires all over the landscape, lots of them, very close to highways, power lines so it's very busy everywhere right now," Smith said.