The Yukon Emergency Measures Organization has issued an evacuation alert for the Silver Trail Highway between kilometres 4 and 24, east to the Stewart River. Another evacuation alert has been issued for the areas around and including Keno, Silver Trail Highway kilometres 101 to 110, McQuesten Lakes, and Hansen Lakes as of July 4.
The evacuation alert is not the same as an evacuation order. The alert asks that people prepare to leave safely should an evacuation order be put in place.
The notice from the Yukon Emergency Measures Organization recommends connecting with family members to review plans and designated meeting places, putting emergency kits in accessible locations, gathering essential items such as identification, insurance and medications. The notice also recommends arranging transportation and accommodation, keeping your gas tank full, and making plans for livestock and pets. People can monitor local news and yukon.ca/emergencies for updates on the situation.
The threat to the Silver Trail Highway comes due to the North Ferry Hill Fire, which is a fire that has burned 11,500 hectares north of Stewart Crossing and the Silver Trail Highway as of July 4. According to the Yukon Wildfires Hub, fire behaviour is expected to be high with the potential for organized crown fire. According to Natural Resources Canada, crown fires have extreme intensities and are often uncontrollable.
Crews and helicopters are targeting hotspots along the east flank of the North Ferry Hill Fire, and they are maintaining structural protection, according to the Wildfire Hub. Additional crews are removing fuel to the northeast of the fire to limit spread. The Ferry Hill Road has been closed.
The evacuation alert for the area around and including Keno, McQuesten Lakes, Hansen Lakes and the Silver Trail Highway is due to danger posed by the Ladue Lake fire, which is seven kilometres from Keno City. The fire has burned 3,400 hectares.
Operations on the fire began yesterday with heavy helivopters and air tankers targeting the southwest flank of the fire, according to the July 4 update. Crews are hotspotting and extinguishing the fire between Ladue Lake and Gambler Lake.
Heavy equipment will begin machine guard around Keno City upon arrival, reads the update.
Contact Talar Stockton at talar.stockton@yukon-news.com
