Fire forces residents to abandon Stewart Crossing

by SEAN McNEELY  Star Reporter

A roaring forest fire that continues to rage out of control forced the evacuation of Stewart Crossing residents to Mayo early this morning.

EMO (Emergency Measures Organization) director Eric Magnuson reports that travellers were being escorted through the area of Stewart Crossing (between km 463 and km 580 of the North Klondike Highway) this morning before the warmer temperatures boosted the fire's intensity.

He added the situation is not stable enough to allow the residents to return to their homes. In conjunction with fire crews, he hoped to have a better idea of estimating when the evacuees could return by the end of the day.

The blaze was sparked by lightning about three weeks ago. At press time this afternoon, no flames and little smoke were visible in Mayo to tell of the inferno burning near Stewart Crossing.

Alan Nixon, deputy commander of the Joint Emergency Operations Coordination Centre in Whitehorse, said RCMP and local volunteers began evacuating residents and tourists at 1:30 this morning.

About 50 residents and 25 recreation vehicle travellers were evacuated from the area.

"From all reports, the evacuation went smoothly and there is no threat to the public safety," Nixon said in a statement released this morning.

The Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development forest services branch reports the 35,000-hectare fire is burning eight kilometres southwest of the community, due to strong southerly winds. Fire management officials dispatched air tankers to the fire this morning to determine what suppression action will be taken.

One possibility being considered is directing the fire to an old nearby burn area from a fire in the 1980s.

The Yukon government has set up a reception centre at the Mayo Community Hall to house evacuees.

"We are asking evacuees to check into the reception area when they arrive in Mayo so that we know of their whereabouts," Nixon added.

Margrit Wozniak, the EMO coordinator for Mayo, spoke to the Star from the community hall.

She said the hall housed 14 people last night, with a few more trickling in this morning. She expects travellers to visit the centre throughout the day for updates on the fire's condition.

She described the mood of the overnight guests as "worried, but, for the most part, in good spirits."

Wozniak added that, if necessary, the hall could house up to 50 guests. And if conditions worsened, they could always open up the local school gym, she said.

Because many of the evacuees did not check in at the hall, Wozniak guessed that many have simply arranged to stay with family and friends and will check in with the hall later today.

Neil Salvin is one of the evacuees who made the overnight stay.

He received a knock on his door by the RCMP at around 2:00 a.m.

"They said I had two to three hours to get out; the fire was heading this way," he said.

Salvin grabbed what he could - his dogs, important papers, some clothes and his computer, and headed for the hall, as the hotels were booked solid with guests and fire crews.

For Salvin, the timing of the fire couldn't be worse. He and his wife, who recently moved from Haines Junction, bought the well-known Moose Creek Lodge last November and were having a good first summer as owners.

He was saving as much as he could, as the Salvins are expecting their first child this fall.

Now, not only is he losing money, there is the chance the entire business will burn to the ground.

Though fire crews assured him they will do everything they can to protect the lodge, Salvin is still very concerned.

Last night, he recalled seeing the fire in the distance, well away from the lodge.

"Then, three hours later, we were told to evacuate," he said. "I wish I could go out there and help, but I have to sit here and wait."

At the very least, Salvin would like to return briefly and pick up a few more important belongings. But that request has also been denied.

Only the convoys travelling straight through the area are allowed.

For example, next to his lodge sits a snowmobile that needs only one more payment, he said.

Magnuson, aware of the requests to return home to gather more possessions, said, "I would like to give them that opportunity... as soon as it can be done safely."

If the North Klondike Highway is closed again, the alternative route for travellers heading south from Dawson City or north from Whitehorse is the North Alaska Highway through Beaver Creek and over the gravel Top of the World Highway.

Last night, the Department of Community and Transportation Services had set up roadblocks on the North Klondike Highway at km 463 and km 580, and at km 40 of the Silver Trail, which joins Stewart Crossing to Mayo.

As well, an information stop has been set up where the Dempster Highway meets the North Klondike Highway.