Fire season has arrived

Good morning,

A few of you emailed asking about when the next restaurant or burger review is coming. Sadly, none today, but I’ve got a few planned in the coming weeks, especially for spots outside of Whitehorse. So stay tuned.

Here’s a surprising announcement — we just passed 2,000 subscribers here at the Yukon Lookout. That means that around 6% of adults in the territory are subscribed. Pretty crazy…

Now that we’re a decent size, I think now is the right time to announce a big addition here at the Lookout.

Here’s the deal: the Lookout is not sustainable right now. We spend more producing this newsletter than we make. My hope is to make this a local news outlet that is sustainable, which these days is really hard.

So our first big step towards this is launching a new partnership and advertising program for local businesses and organizations. If you’re a business owner or someone looking to reach thousands of Yukon locals, please reply, and I’d love to chat with you.

For the time being, we’re only opening up four partnership spots, since we want to keep this mostly news and events. So make sure to contact us soon if you’re interested.

We never expected to hit 2,000 subscribers so quickly. I can’t thank each of you enough for reading and sharing the newsletter.

And with that, let’s get to today’s news.

— Geoff Sharpe, Lookout founder

The Yukon Weather Report

THE YUKON NUMBER

$7.2 million

The amount of money, in USD, that the Yukon government secured to help fix parts of Alaska Highway in the Shakwak corridor, that includes Haines Junction, Destruction Bay, Burwash Landing and Beaver Creek as it approaches Alaska.

ENVIRONMENT

Fire season has arrived

Summer is here. That means BBQ in the backyard, camping on the weekend and, unfortunately, the return of fire season. Over the last week, fire issues have intensified, so we’re breaking it all down for you today.

Weekend warning: Last week, dry conditions contributed to a rising danger level for fires in and around Whitehorse. On June 7, the rating was extreme, falling to high on June 9, followed by medium on June 10. Extreme and high mean that there is a big risk of wildfires due to dry conditions. 

Looking back: In 2024, lightning started most fires, causing evacuations in multiple towns. The most notable fire was the Wrong Lake Fire, which was reported on June 19, burned 16,918 hectares and caused Stewart Crossing to be evacuated. Most of the worst fires occurred between June and the beginning of July. 

Current situation: While the rest of the country is dealing with an early and bad fire season, the Yukon currently, as of Wednesday evening, has one active fire with 4.3 hectares burned, and nine that have been extinguished. One near Wellesley Lake is currently being monitored, but there are no fires of note, meaning public safety is not impacted.

• Yes, but: Not everything is fine, especially anyone heading to BC…

While conditions can change quickly, as of last night, the Alaska Highway north and south of Fort Nelson was closed. There is a wildfire North and West of Fort Nelson between Grouse Trail and Toad Mountain, and then another South at Skianni Chief Rd. and Prophet River Rd., according to DriveBC. The Alaska Highway has been closed and reopened multiple times since the beginning of June. 

• Expect another update this morning on the status of both those fires and access to the Alaska Highway.

Looking ahead: Projections show that the Yukon will get hit with a high amount of smoke tomorrow, with Whitehorse affected later in the day. Friday is also expected to be bad. 

What it means: I was in Toronto over the weekend, and the smoke was, to put it lightly, horrible. Fires across BC, Alberta and Manitoba are blanketing the country in smoke. What used to be a rare occurrence is now common. As we approach the prime season for fires, it’s important to keep an eye out at the Yukon Wildfire Hub for all the latest information, especially when travelling. 

HOME OF THE WEEK

If you’re a handyman, need a big shop, or just want a unique house, then this spot out in Grizzly Valley South, just north of Whitehorse, may be for you.

The home has two bedrooms and one bathroom, and it has as much character as you’d ever want. If you like wood finishing, then you’ll love this place. But it’s the extra stuff that makes it stand out, including a massive workshop, a big deck and a hot tub and a greenhouse.

All this can be yours for this price…

THE AGENDA

🍔 Drive through fast food in Whistlebend? Northern Vision Development is asking for a zoning amendment to allow a drive-through restaurant in part of the commercial use area in Whistle Bend, in order to make the commercial area viable and allow other less profitable stores to operate, like a grocery store. There are currently no food or beverage operators in the area. [CBC]

🏡 Construction has begun on 34 affordable housing units in Dawson. The site was previously contaminated, which required remediation, which is now complete. 

🪥 If you’re enrolled in the Yukon Dental Program, a reminder that you’ll need to renew your coverage as it resets on July 1. You can do so online. 

❌ After 40 years, the Yukon Chamber of Commerce is no more. On June 11, the board voted to dissolve the organization. In a release, the organizations said the three other chambers of commerce in Whitehorse, Dawson and St. Elias will work together more closely. 

🏗️ Whitehorse City Council has set its priorities for the next three and a half years. A main one, according to Mayor Kirk Cameron, is building more infrastructure, as the city continues to grow quickly. [CBC]

🚘️ The driving speeds on residential streets will now be a little different in Whitehorse. City council approved a new speed limit of 40 km/h, unless otherwise indicated. Takhini North, McIntyre and Valleyview will remain 30 km/h. [CKRW]

⛴️ The Pelly Barge is expected to reopen on June 16, assuming North Canol Road is safe to travel. The ferry will open later this year than normal, due to ferry repairs and lower water levels. 

🚴 The RCMP are asking for witnesses to a motor vehicle driver hitting a cyclist on June 7 near 91280 Alaska Highway near the Philmar RV Centre. Darryl Tait, a local athlete and accessibility advocate, was struck from behind by the vehicle.

THE YUKON GUESSER

EVENTS

Events outside Whitehorse are highlighted.

Family + Kids

Yukon Kennel Club’s Annual Dog Show | Takhini Arena | Jun. 13-16, 4 pm | If you love dogs, this is for you, with eight confirmation shows, and more

Community Bike Nights | Spruce Street cul-de-sac, Haines Junction | June 12, 26, July 10, 24, August 7, 21 | Every other Thursday 6–8 pm | Bike skills stations and fun rides for all ages | Free

Maker Madness: Summer Camp | Yukonstruct Society, 2180 2nd Ave | June 16–20, 9 am–3:30 pm | Hands-on camp for ages 11–15 in wood, metal & more | Tickets $439

Atlin School Year-End Assembly | Atlin School Gym, Atlin | June 18, 1:30 pm | Student performances, awards & kindergarten grad | Free

Nature Sprites | Minto Park, Dawson City | June 25–27, 1–4 pm | Crafts, nature play for grades K–1 | Tickets $50

Youth Wildcrafting Programs | Dawson City | Multiple dates in July | For kids 5+, learn outdoor skills and survival strategies | Register

Augusto! Children’s Festival | St. Elias Convention Centre, Haines Junction | Aug. 8-10 | Art and music festival that celebrates children | Learn more

Arts + Music

Yukon Riverside Arts Festival | Multiple locations in Dawson | June 12-14 | Come see art and listen to music, with multiple performances | Learn more

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory | Yukon Arts Centre, 300 College Dr | June 18–22, 7 pm (plus June 22 matinee at 2 pm) | Youth musical theatre production by YTYP | Tickets $30+

Painting workshop with Ernest Chua | The Yukon Arts Centre, 300 University Dr. | Jun. 25, 6–8 pm | Silent creation art session + group reflection | Free

Our Lady Peace Concert | Shipyards Park | June 28, 5 pm | A free concert featuring Our Lady Peace!

2025 Atlin Arts & Music Festival | Tarahne Provincial Park, Atlin | July 11-13 | Come see over 30 bands, visual artists, films and more! | Tickets $186

Short Walks for Short Nights at ‘Round Back | 27 14 Ave. Whitehorse | July 24, 7-9 pm | Live performances, storytelling, musicians and artists | Tickets $12

Dawson City Music Festival | Downtown Dawson City | Jul. 18-20 | Over 25 artists and bands from across Canada | Tickets $195

Outdoors and Sports

Out There, From Here: Bikepacking Trip to Lime Peak | June 14-16 | Come explore the space around us with a biking and hiking trip near Lake Labarge | Sign-up

DDY BBQ II: A Hot Dog Extravaganza | Riverside Gazebo, Dawson City | June 15, 1–3 pm | Free BBQ, hot dogs & DJ Glizzy McGuire | Free

Fastpitch Wednesdays | Minto Park, Dawson City | Wednesdays, 8:30 pm | Weekly fastpitch games, prior softball experience suggested | Free

Yukon Freshwater Fishing Workshop | Yukon University, 500 University Dr. | Jun. 19, 6 pm | Learn fishing tips, knots, Yukon species and more | Tickets $25 | Event link

Marsh Lake Madness Triathlon | Jul. 1 | A normal triathlon, but with paddling instead of swimming! | Learn more

Pine Lake Triathlon | Pine Lake, Haines Junction| | Jul. 20, 8 am | 1 km swim, 23 km bike and 6km run | Register here

Discovery Day Golf Tournament | Dawson City Golf Course, Dawson City | Aug. 14-16, 2:00 pm | 18-hole team scramble with prizes and banquet | Learn more

Other

Spaghetti Dinner & Game 4 Stanley Cup Finals | Atlin Rec Centre Members Lounge, Atlin | June 12, 5 pm | Pasta dinner and hockey screening night | Free

Italian Summer – DH Shoppe’s Summer Collection | DH Shoppe, 130-2237 Second Avenue | June 14, 2 pm | New summer drop inspired by the Italian coast | Free

Father's Day Show and Shine | Yukon Transportation Museum | June 15, 10 am | Classic car show with vehicle entry and family fun | Free to attend

John Kilmer Celebration of Life | Tarahne Park, Atlin | June 20, 3 pm–11:59 pm | Potluck, music, jamming, and shared stories celebrating the life of John | Free

Graze & Gather | Yukon Beringia Interpretive Centre, Alaska Hwy | June 20, 6 pm | Keynote, local apps, Yukon ag networking | Tickets $23

National Indigenous Peoples Day Celebration | Dänojà Zho Cultural Centre, Dawson City | June 21, 11 am | Hand games, live music, bannock & more | Free

Yukon Prize Celebration Evening and Feast of Small Plates | The Yukon Arts Centre, 300 University Dr | Oct. 4, 6 pm | Visual, culinary and performing arts celebration | Tickets $100+

Have an event or a community announcement? Submit it here.

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

Frost season has officially passed in Whitehorse, so you can now turn off any frost protection devices. 

Registrations for trapper training workshops are opening up on June 17 at 8:30 am. You can find the dates of the workshops here. 

Seven campsites at Laberge Campground from June 22-27 will be reserved for Kwanlin Dün First Nation’s fish camp. The boat launch and boat trailer parking area will stay open. 

As of June 6th, one of the outhouses near site 19 at Conrad Campground was closed due to a robin family nesting nearby. 

The Humane Society Dawson AGM Meeting is on June 23 at 5:30 at the Dawson Community Library. Membership fees are $20, and are required if you wish to sit on the board. 

KlondikePup Pet Supplies in Dawson is doing an order on June 27th for anyone needing pet food or supplies. For anyone needing teeth cleaning for June, you can book an appointment at Yukon Spa by calling or texting 867-993-3332.

A group of people in Atlin are meeting at Tarahne Park to clean up a bit of the area on Sunday at 11 am. Chainsaws and other tools like that are very welcome!

Congrats to Pedal Junction Yukon, who received funding from Lotteries Yukon to build a bike skills park. 

YUKON JOB BOARD

Discover a new job in the Yukon

• Part-time housekeeper, The Dawson City Bunkhouse in Dawson City

• Instructor/lifeguard, City of Whitehorse

• Board director, Canada Mental Health Association in Whitehorse

• Environmental management system coordinator, Yukon Energy in Whitehorse