Mayo community wildfire protection plan finalized

Press Release

Sept. 11, 2025

This is a joint news release between the Government of Yukon, the First Nation of Na-Cho Nyäk Dun and the Village of Mayo.

Mayo’s new community wildfire protection plan has been finalized by the Government of Yukon, the Village of Mayo and the First Nation of Na-Cho Nyäk Dun.

A community wildfire protection plan is a strategy for reducing the wildland fire risk around a community by balancing public safety needs with local priorities. Creating a community wildfire protection plan is a collaborative effort between Yukon First Nations governments, municipal governments and the Government of Yukon. Communities create their plans with support and technical input from the Government of Yukon.

The Mayo Community Wildfire Protection Plan and the accompanying Mayo Fuel Management Plan are a set of recommendations and actions for increasing the resilience of the community. The plan identifies the wildfire risks surrounding the community and potential consequences of a wildfire to the community and recommends possible ways to reduce the risk.

Completing plans for 14 Yukon communities by 2026 is a goal outlined in the Yukon’s Our Clean Future strategy. Faro, Haines Junction, Whitehorse, Teslin, Dawson and now Mayo have completed plans. Individuals and families are still encouraged to have a household emergency plan and prepare a 72-hour emergency kit. More information about emergency kits and household emergency plans can be found at www.PreparedYukon.ca.

By proactively implementing wildfire hazard reduction measures with support from the Government of Yukon, communities can enhance their resiliency against the threat of wildfires, safeguarding both Yukoners and their property across the territory.

Mayo’s Community Wildfire Protection Plan is an important step in keeping Yukoners safe. This work reflects strong collaboration with local partners and our shared commitment to reducing wildfire risks and protecting our communities.

Minister of Community Services Richard Mostyn

Collaborative development and design has been an integral part of this work. The First Nation of Na-Cho Nyäk Dun applauds that this work has been founded upon principles of self-determination and the recognition of how important it is that we, as stewards of our lands since time immemorial, have the right to a leadership role in determining how our community and lands are to be protected from future wildfires. This has enabled us to inform this work through our Traditional Knowledge systems and ensure protection for our most sacred areas of land during a time of immense grief for the well-being of our lands and waters.

First Nation of Na-Cho Nyäk Dun Chief Dawna Hope

The completion of the Mayo Community Wildfire Protection Plan is a major step forward in keeping our community safe from wildfires. This plan is the product of the strong relationship between our First Nation government, the Yukon government and our community and we’re grateful for everyone’s hard work in putting the plan together. We look forward to its implementation in the coming years.

Village of Mayo Mayor Trevor Ellis

Quick facts

• Plans for Haines Junction and Teslin were approved in 2022, plans for Faro and Dawson were approved in 2024 and the plan for Mayo was approved in 2025.
• The equivalent plan for Whitehorse is the Whitehorse Wildfire Risk Reduction Strategy.
• All final and draft plans are available online at https://yukon.ca/community-wildfire-protection-plans

Media contact

Laura Seeley
Cabinet Communications
867-332-7627
laura.seeley@yukon.ca

Julia Duchesne
Communications, Community Services
867-332-4188
julia.duchesne@yukon.ca

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