The presence of forest fires along the Yukon River and the North Klondike Highway has put paid to the 2024 edition of the Yukon River Quest. The organizers have decided to move the finish line to Carmacks, nearly 400 kilometres before the originally scheduled arrival in Dawson.
Wednesday morning, around a hundred paddlers left the shores of Whitehorse in the hope of covering the 715 kilometers that separated them from Dawson and thus completing one of the longest water races in the world.
The forest fires decided otherwise. It’s sad, but safety comes first
says one of the race officials, the controller Stephen Mooney.
Participants had to deal with smoke and fires from Lake Laberge last night. Several teams had to take a break to wait for the activity of the Mount Lewis fire to subside.
Apocalyptic
As paddlers, you see the smoke, and it’s so thick you can’t see the river at times and you wonder how long it can last
evoked Stephen Mooney, adding that some teams have called what they saw apocalyptic
.
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The Wrong Lake fire has prompted an evacuation alert for the community of Stewart Crossing and a portion of the North Klondike Highway.
Photo: Provided by Yukon Protective Services
In addition to the safety of the participants, the safety of the support teams and loved ones who wanted to travel to Dawson in order to be present at the finish line.
For about a week, the fires near Stewart Crossing have in fact forced the authorities to intermittently close the Klondike North Highway, the only road that goes to Dawson from Whitehorse.
When you talk to the wildfire authorities and they tell you that only essential services can go between Pelly Crossing et Stewart Crossingwe do not consider the ride to be an essential service
underlines Stephen Mooney.
The territorial fire information officer, Mike Fancieconfirms that the fire north of Lake Laberge and the one near the Stewart River are the two fires having an effect on the race.
He adds that it is possible to take the North Klondike Highway between Pelly Crossing et Stewart Crossingbut only by following a pilot car and passage is however not guaranteed.
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Some had come from as far as Europe and Australia to take part in the race.
Photo : Radio-Canada / Camille Vernet
Obviously, this means there will be delays and some people may not be able to cross if the stars are not aligned with the fire conditions.
he said.
As for the race, several teams have already crossed the new finish line, having covered just over 300 kilometres. The organisers expect the other teams to arrive in Carmacks in the coming hours. The prize-giving will take place on Friday morning.
This is not the first time the Yukon River Quest has been canceled or changed. In 2020, the pandemic forced its cancellation, like many other competitions, and in 2021, record water levels got the better of the race.
Stephen Mooney however, remains hopeful that the 2025 edition will take place without problems.
We’ve had our streak of mishaps, we’ll have some luck coming our way
he assures.
With information from George Maratos
