A wildfire raging out of control near Snag Junction in western Yukon over the long weekend eased off on Monday, but not before gutting three cabins.

“Due to cooler, more humid weather today, the fire’s behaviour is much less extreme and it has not moved significantly since (Sunday) night,” Yukon Wildland Fire Management said Monday. “However, it is still creating a lot of smoke.”

Four guests were removed from the fishing lodge on Wellesley Lake on Sunday morning. Officials also assessed the damage to cabins on the south and west edges of the lake. Three cabins were destroyed by the “extreme” fire behaviour. 

“Wildfire officials are on-site to monitor fire conditions and put additional structure protection on the lodge, with the assistance of lodge owners and staff,” said Yukon Wildland Fire Management. “Officials are remaining on-site during the cooler weather while it is safe to do so. Our top priority remains keeping people safe, including our responders.”

The fire report states the smoke column from the fire is visible in the area near White River on the Alaska Highway. The wildfire remains more than 15 kilometres east of Snag Junction, east of the White River.

It’s more than 30 kilometres north of Koidern on the Alaska Highway. The highway and buildings along the artery are not at risk at this time.

“The fire displayed extreme behaviour on Sunday in very hot and dry conditions,” said Wildland Fire Management. 

“The fire put out a lot of smoke in the afternoon and evening.”

The smoke can be detected in other regions of the territory, including Whitehorse.