Community Services Minister Currie Dixon says the territory is ready to send both firefighters and equipment to Alberta to fight the wildfire devastating the city of Fort McMurray.

“Our firefighters are ready to go,” he said in an interview late this morning.

The entire Fort McMurray population of 80,000 was forced to flee as the wildfire reached the community, forcing a full evacuation.

Hospital patients were airlifted to facilities in other communities while residents drove along the highway out of the community.

Many work camps in the oil sands have opened their doors to those fleeing the community.

While resources from Ontario and British Columbia are assisting Alberta in fighting the blaze, Dixon said no request has come in yet for the territory to help.

There are established processes for such requests through a Canadian interagency fire fighting agreement as well as the Canadian Council of Emergency Measures Organizations, he pointed out.

Should the call for Yukon firefighters or equipment come in, Dixon said, the territory will help.

He noted questions have been asked about the air tankers typically stationed in the territory through the summer to fight wildfires.

Those tankers are brought to the territory on contract, one which isn’t set to begin this year until May 18.

They are currently in Alberta working on the Fort McMurray fire, he explained.

It’s possible that the contract with the territory may need a later start date due to the situation in Alberta. That’s something the Yukon government would be willing “to entertain,” he said.

The territory has also committed to a $25,000 donation to Red Cross relief efforts in Fort McMurray.

“Our hearts go out to the people of Fort McMurray,” Premier Darrell Pasloski said today.

“Yukon will donate to the Red Cross to support emergency aid relief.”

Government officials are also reaching out to their Alberta counterparts to see where Yukon can help.

“We encourage Yukoners to donate to support relief efforts in Fort McMurray,” Pasloski added.

Donations to the Red Cross for its Alberta Fires appeal can be made at redcross.ca, by calling 1-800-418-1111, or by texting “redcross” to 30333 to make a $5-donation via their next phone bill.

Meanwhile, the Yukon NDP plans to table a motion in the legislative assembly this afternoon asking the Yukon government to make a financial contribution to the Red Cross’ Alberta Fires Appeal.

“Yukoners have always had strong ties to Fort McMurray,” said NDP Leader Liz Hanson.

“Many of us have worked, or do work there. My brother, my sister, her husband and their family are all affected by this natural disaster.

“We have a responsibility as Yukoners to do our part during our neighbours’ time of need – and that is why we’re asking the Yukon government to make a financial contribution the Red Cross Alberta Fires Appeal.”

The NDP is also encouraging individual Yukoners to support the Red Cross campaign.