Whitehorse Daily Star

Highway open to single-lane traffic

The Alaska Highway reopened at 6 a.m. today.

By Whitehorse Star on August 23, 2018

The Alaska Highway reopened at 6 a.m. today.

The artery was closed earlier this week between Lucky Lake and the Liard Hotsprings due to the Lower Post, B.C. wildfire.

Kaylee Tower, a B.C. emergency management technician, said the highway was re-opened to single-lane traffic directed by a pilot car. She advised motorists to expect delays of up to 30 minutes or more.

Carolyn Bartos, a B.C. Northwest Fire Centre fire information officer, confirmed that the Lower Post blaze has caused damage to the community.

She said there have been several buildings lost, but was not able to confirm which ones.

The fire is an estimated 6,000 hectares, and she predicts it will continue to grow because weather forecasts are calling for wind.

She said there are 30 firefighters on-scene with access to three fire trucks and two pieces of heavy equipment to help with their efforts. The 30 firefighters are made up of personnel from both B.C. and the Yukon.

Bartos said the entire community was evacuated earlier this week. Several evacuees went to Watson Lake, where an emergency centre is located at the Morgan Chaddock Recreation Centre.

Watson Lake CAO Cam Lockwood estimated Wednesday that between 85 and 100 evacuees entered the town.

Bartos said the area remains cloaked in smoke, which is sitting on the ground causing reduced visibility.

This has made it hard for air support in the fire fighting efforts. That being said, she explained crews are working as best as they can.

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