Residents of Mayo, Yukon, should prepare for possible wildfire evacuation, gov't says

Residents of Mayo and Keno City in central Yukon should be prepared for a possible evacuation due to a threatening wildfire.

An evacuation alert was issued for both communities on Saturday at 9:30 p.m. This means that residents should be prepared to leave the community within two hours if an evacuation order is needed.

The evacuation alert covers Village of Mayo, First Nation of Na-Cho Nyäk Dun C-6 Subdivision, Keno City, Duncan Creek Road, Minto Lake Road and kilometres 28 to 108 on the Silver Trail.

The area is under threat from a new wildfire discovered on Saturday called the Roaring Forks fire. The was last measured at a size of 100 hectares, and is currently receiving a full response from Wildland Fire Management.

If an evacuation order is issued for the Mayo area, the rally point for residents will be Dawson City, the Yukon Emergency Measures Organization said.

To prepare for a possible evacuation, residents should designate a family meeting place, move livestock or pets to a safe area, and make plans for transportation and possible accommodations.

They should also gather important papers such as passports and birth certificates, as well as medications and other immediate necessities.

Updates can be found at the website for the Yukon Emergency Management Organization.