Wary residents poised for possible evacuation

by SEAN McNEELY  Star Reporter

Residents of the Logan, Arkell and McIntyre subdivisions slept with one eye open beside packed bags overnight, waiting for the potential word of their evacuation from a fire that started Monday afternoon behind Logan.

Thus far, no announcement of an evacuation has been made. If it did come to that, residents would be informed by RCMP cruisers equipped with loudspeakers.

However, city manager Bill Newell said this morning the evacuation alert is still in effect for these areas. And if the wind changes direction, neighbouring areas like Copper Ridge and Granger would be included in an evacuation.

The blaze started at about 3 p.m. Though there has been no confirmation, it's believed to have been human-caused, as there was no lightning reported in the area.

Paula Webber, an information officer for the federal Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development, said the blaze is roughly 20 hectares in size and is not yet considered under control. Just under 30 firefighters are on the scene, as well as helicopters, Cats and tankers on standby.

Webber said the fire is approximately one kilometre from homes the Logan area.

Carol Arntzen, whose Finch Crescent property in Logan faces the fire, said she did not get much sleep last night.

Her home is next to a lookout point that became a flurry of activity with resident walking back and forth to check on the fire's condition.

When asked how many people had come to watch the helicopters and tankers, she replied, "Half of Whitehorse was here."

Arntzen heard the evacuation alert on the radio Monday afternoon.

The event reminded her of a fire last year that also came fairly close to her home, which she has lived in for three years.

Last year, she said, there was a fire in the same area, and though it was small, the wind caused sparks to be carried to the trees just behind her home. The spot fires were easily put out,. and it showed her just how easily a blaze could threaten her home, she said.

"We know from experience just how quickly it can spread," she said.

What also worried Arntzen were the strong winds that picked up last night.

"One minute it was from the west, the next it was from the north. Then the fire created its own wind," she said.

And there was the noise created by the air tankers and helicopters. "They practically took the roofs off, they were so low," she commented.

Arntzen acted quickly after the radio reports and loaded her trailer with valuables.

She packed enough for a week - clothes, special pictures, jewelry and other items.

Part of the difficulty was deciding what to take, she said. It's difficult to look around one's home and decided just what's most valuable.

She had heard that neighbours had eliminated this problem by making a list to avoid any indecision and save time if necessary.

Looking out across the valley, she said, "I'm very concerned," commenting on all the dead, dry brush scattered on the ground.

"It's like a fire waiting to happen," she added." Everyone I know has their belongings packed."

Mark McCullough also lives on Finch Crescent. He too made several trips to the lookout point to see the fire's condition. And he also didn't sleep very much last night.

"There was quite a show (last night). The planes were coming in thick and fast," he said.

He and his family were returning from running errands when they saw smoke in the distance. At first, he thought it might be the fire near Fish Lake Road.

Then, pulling into his street, he quickly noticed the crowd that had gathered near his home, which is also adjacent to the lookout point on Finch.

"The closer we got to home, the closer it (the fire) looked," he said.

"We have some bags packed just in case," he said. They include family pictures and insurance policies.

"If the wind started blowing, it would come up here really fast. There's nothing to stop it," he said.

However, unlike Arntzen, McCullough is not as concerned about losing his home.

In looking at the sky and seeing only a single helicopter, he commented, "The lack of bombers and wind reassures me."

Though he was not certain, he estimated that the more time that passes, the less likely residents will have to evacuate.

But in looking at the area's dry wood, he stated, "It's a real threat, not something to be taken lightly."

When asked if all the helicopters and tanker activity bothered him, he answered jokingly, "No, please don't stop."

McCullough was pleased with the fire crew's quick response.

"I was really impressed how they jumped right on it," he said.

Also over the long weekend, there was a flare-up of the Fox Lake fire that started July 2. Motorists using the North Klondike Highway in the area Monday afternoon and evening encountered thick smoke that obscured the opposite side of Fox Lake from view.