Watson Lake area fire community information centre now open

FOR RELEASE #10-150
August 6, 2010

Whitehorse – The Protective Services division of the Department of Community Services is pleased to announce that a community information centre is now open to serve the public concerned about the Watson Lake area fire.“We have set up a Watson Lake area wildfire information centre so that residents and visitors have a place to ask questions and better understand the situation,” Community Services Minister Archie Lang said. “It is a challenging time for local residents and we are working to ensure everyone is informed.”

Residents can access updated community bulletins, fire and health information and updates that are being posted on information boards at Junction 37, Upper Liard, and in Watson Lake at the visitor information centre, post office and the territorial agent liquor store. Yukon government websites and media are also being updated regularly.

To contact the Watson Lake area fire community information centre:

Location: Alaska Highway and 10th Street South
Telephone: 867-536-7031 or 867-536-7041
Weekday hours: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Weekend hours: Noon to 7 p.m.

On Wednesday, August 4 the residents of Junction 37 and Upper Liard areas were given an evacuation notice and asked to be prepared in the event that the wildfire moves closer to the communities.

Residents are encouraged to prepare a 72 hours emergency kit and develop emergency plans. For more information visit http://www.community.gov.yk.ca/.
People with respiratory health issues are advised to call the Yukon HealthLine at 811, speak to their healthcare provider or go to the Health and Social Services website at http://www.hss.gov.yk.ca/.

The Yukon government sent additional personnel to the Junction 37, Upper Liard and Watson Lake area. Both Wildland Fire Management (WFM) and the Emergency Measures Organization (EMO) have public information officers in Watson Lake available to share information with residents. A WFM supervisor is a fire liaison officer with the BC Forest Service.

EMO has developed evacuation plans for Upper Liard and Junction 37, and is in contact with the Liard First Nation and Town of Watson Lake. The Yukon Fire Marshall is planning structural fire protection in the area.

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Contact:

Emily Younker
Cabinet Communications
867-633-7961
emily.younker@gov.yk.ca

Brenda Wale
Communications, Emergency Measures Organization
867-667-5220
brenda.wale@gov.yk.ca