Lightning sparks 150-hectare fire 60km outside Whitehorse

A 150-hectare fire is burning about 60 kilometres from Whitehorse near Lake Laberge.

Officials with Yukon Wildland Fire says they are receiving calls from concerned people in the area but no properties are at risk.

Fire Information Officer George Maratos says the fire was spotted by the Haeckel Hill Lookout tower around 2 p.m. northeast of Lake Laberge along Open Creek. He said itappears to have been caused by lightning.

"Fortunately it's in a wilderness zone with no values at risk but it is very visible due to its location, so from certain points on the Alaska Highway and the Lake Laberge area a column of smoke will be visible."

Maratos says for now officials are monitoring the blaze.

Campers in the area and even people in Whitehorse may notice smoke, however campgrounds remain open for now.