Winds challenge efforts to fight wildfire near Watson Lake, Yukon

Residents and visitors near astretch of the Robert Campbell Highway in southeast Yukonshould be ready to evacuate within two hours of being notified due to a wildfirein the area.

The Yukon Emergency Measures Organization has issued an evacuation alert for people in or near kilometres 30 to 58 of the Robert Campbell Highway.

Highway 4, as it also known, goes from Watson Lake past Ross River,Faro toCarmacks.

The wildfire which is increasing in activity because of windy conditions is about 40 kilometres northwest of Watson Lake, and is now 1.5 kilometreswest of Francis River and 12kilometreswest of the Robert CampbellHighway.

Mike Etches, director of Yukon WildlandFire Management, reports the fire has currently burned about 6,500 hectares.

Ten structuresin the areaare underthreat. Most of those are trappers'cabins. Etches said there areonly two permanentresidents, both of whom have been in contact with fire officials.

He said structural protection and sprinklers are being deployed to thebuildings that are under threat.

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Etches said smoke may be seen from Watson Lake, and the highway may be affected by the situation in the following days.

Currently 30 firefighters, an incident management team of fiveand five helicopters are working the blaze.

Etches saidrain forecast for Thursday should help the situation.

Here are some tips to prepare for an evacuation:

• Find all family members and choose a safe meeting place.
• Gather essential items like medication, eye glasses, valuable documents and immediate care needs for dependents.
• Move livestock, pets to a safe area.
• Arrange transportation for household in case of a potential evacuation order.
• Arrange accommodation (In the event of an evacuation order, emergency accommodation may be provided).
• Monitor Yukon Governmentwebsite and local news sources for updated information on fire status and direction.

The government is encouraging local residents andvisitors in the affected area to "proactively relocate prior to the fire directly affecting their location." If they choose to do so, they're asked to notify Emergency Health and Social Services at 867-536-2232.

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