On Saturday, the Mounties' Explosives Disposal Unit (EDU) destroyed a white phosphorus flare that had washed up on shore at Marsh Lake.

RCMP Whitehorse received a complaint from a Marsh Lake resident who had been walking on the beach when she spotted an object in the water about three metres from shore, police reported today.

The object was labelled "Dangerous Material – If Found Contact Military or Police.”

The RCMP contacted the Department of National Defence, and it was decided that the material could be rendered safe onsite.

A cordon was established by RCMP and the one residence in the area was checked to confirm that no one was home.

The flare was rendered safe on site and the remains gathered by the EDU.

The flare is described as an aluminum cylinder, about 31 centimetres in length and six cm in diameter.

It is designed to activate upon release for about 15 minutes, then fill with water and sink.

Eighteen flares were deployed during last week's search and rescue exercises in Whitehorse, and only one was determined to not have deployed properly, according to police.

The flare that was found is believed to have properly activated, so no longer contained any phosphorus, but did not sink as designed.

The "M” Division RCMP wishes to advise the public that should any similar devices be found that they should not be disturbed and that the RCMP be contacted immediately.